By: Isatou Sarr
Religious leaders, women and young people in the West Coast Region have undergone training on peacebuilding, dialogue and conflict prevention ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 elections.
The training was held Monday at the Governor’s Office in the West Coast Region under the Harmony, Outreach, Peace and Engagement Project on Social Cohesion, implemented by Caritas Gambia with funding support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
The initiative seeks to strengthen social cohesion, reduce election-related conflicts and promote inclusive and peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Speaking at the ceremony, Caritas Gambia National Director Francis D. Mendy said the training was aimed at equipping community leaders and members with practical skills in mediation, dialogue and early conflict detection.
He said participants included imams, priests, pastors, chiefs, Alkalolu, youth and women leaders, as well as representatives of civil society organisations from the region.
“As we approach the 2026 elections, this training provides us with the tools to prevent conflict, foster dialogue and strengthen unity across our communities,” Mendy said.
Speaking on behalf of West Coast Region Governor Ousman Bojang, Deputy Governor Musa Amul Nyassi urged women and young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to engage in violence.
He reminded participants that supporting a political party or candidate of their choice was a constitutional right, but stressed that political differences should not lead to violence or intolerance.
“You are the tools of the politicians, you are the people they use, misused to go and engage in violence,” Nyassi said.
He also urged Gambians to respect the institutions legally mandated to conduct elections and declare the results.
“There is nothing wrong for us to differ in political ideology but at the end of the day we must all co-exist and we must be tolerant to one another,” he said.
The training forms part of broader efforts to promote dialogue among communities and political actors while strengthening the role of women, youth and community leaders in maintaining peace before, during and after the 2026 elections.