By Olimatou Coker
As The Gambia marked the International Day of Peace 2026, the National Coordinator of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) – The Gambia, Salama Njie, has called for collective action to protect the country’s democratic process, amplify citizens’ voices, and promote an inclusive culture of peace.
Njie made the call on Monday during a commemoration organised by Wanep-The Gambia at Alliance Française in Banjul. The event brought together civil society organisations, development partners, youth and women representatives, and peacebuilding stakeholders.
The commemoration focused on peaceful participation and responsible communication ahead of The Gambia’s upcoming electoral cycle.
This year’s theme, “Invest in Peace: Securing Every Vote, Every Voice, Every Gambian,” highlights the shared responsibility of citizens and institutions in maintaining peace and strengthening democracy.
Njie said securing every vote demands a transparent, credible, and violence-free electoral process. She stressed that every eligible Gambian — in urban centers or rural villages — must be able to exercise their democratic right safely and confidently, without intimidation or fear.
“Securing every vote requires a transparent, credible and peaceful electoral process, free from violence and intimidation,” Njie said.
She said protecting the electoral process requires cooperation among all stakeholders — political parties, security agencies, the IEC, civil society, the media, and citizens. Wanep, she added, remains fully committed to promoting peaceful participation and safeguarding the vote.
Njie further emphasised securing every voice through dialogue, tolerance, and respect for diverse opinions. She called for deliberate inclusion of women and young people, and for political differences to be managed without hate speech or violence.
“Securing every Gambian means ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, feel included and protected by the rule of law,” she said.
She urged political leaders, security forces, the media, and citizens to prioritise dialogue, responsible communication, and tolerance, warning that peace is a shared responsibility that must be defended daily.
In his goodwill message, Wanep Board Chairman, Foma AM Ceesay, called for unity, tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence ahead of the December 2026 presidential election. He urged all Gambians to embrace diversity, respect differing views, reject violence, and make dialogue the first response to disagreements.
For his part, Executive President of International Model United Nations — The Gambia, Ousman Jobe, said the International Day of Peace is a reminder that peace is not simply the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, dignity, opportunity, and dialogue.
Jobe said history has shown that peace is built by courageous individuals, strong institutions, and communities committed to resolving differences without violence, citing leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Wangari Maathai, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
He said young people must be at the center of peacebuilding and must be given opportunities to participate in education, leadership, and development.
“Let us therefore work across generations, communities, faiths, and backgrounds to build a peaceful and inclusive society. Peace is our shared responsibility, and together, we can create a better future,” Jobe said.