By: Sheriffo M
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Ambassador Lang Yabou, has received the Commonwealth Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PEAM) during a consultation meeting in Banjul ahead of The Gambia’s 5 December 2026 general elections.
The mission is visiting The Gambia from 18 to 25 July to assess the country’s electoral environment and determine whether conditions are suitable for the deployment of a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) for the elections.
The delegation is also expected to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to strengthen electoral management.
The Commonwealth delegation is led by Lindiwe Malaleka, Adviser on Electoral Support, and includes Musu Kaikai, Political Officer for Africa, and Rebecca Scott, Operations Officer in the Communications Division.
Welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Yabou reaffirmed the Gambian government’s commitment to democratic governance, credible elections and continued cooperation with international partners to strengthen democratic institutions.
He also highlighted the longstanding relationship between The Gambia and the Commonwealth Secretariat, which has deepened since the country’s readmission to the Commonwealth.
Malaleka said the visit forms part of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s standard engagement with member states ahead of national elections.
She explained that the mission’s mandate is to assess the political and electoral environment, engage with key national stakeholders and advise the Commonwealth Secretary-General on whether to deploy an observer group for the December polls.
According to her, the mission will hold consultations with government institutions, the IEC, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to assess the electoral environment and determine the level of national support for a Commonwealth observer mission.
She said the delegation would also explain the role and methodology of Commonwealth election observers, undertake preliminary planning for a possible deployment, assess further technical assistance needs and provide specialised capacity-building support to the IEC.
Responding on behalf of the government, Ambassador Yabou welcomed the Commonwealth’s continued support for The Gambia’s democratic transition and electoral institutions.
He assured the delegation of the government’s full cooperation during its mission and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive elections in accordance with the Constitution, national laws and international democratic standards.
The visit forms part of ongoing cooperation between The Gambia and the Commonwealth Secretariat in promoting democracy, good governance, the rule of law and credible electoral processes ahead of the December 2026 general elections.
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