The Gambia Launches Insider Mediators Network to Strengthen Peacebuilding
Group Photo for Insiders Mediator © Askanwi
By Haddy Ceesay
As The Gambia prepares for a crucial election season, efforts to promote peace and social cohesion have taken center stage. On 26th February 2025, Peace Hub The Gambia and partners, in collaboration with UNDP and the EU, launched the Insider Mediators Network at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo. The initiative brings together trained mediators from across the country, empowering them to resolve conflicts and strengthen community trust before tensions escalate.
The primary objective of the Insider Mediators Network project is to strengthen conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts by empowering national actors to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiation. By doing so, it aims to establish sustainable mechanisms for internal mediation and effective conflict resolution.
This initiative stems from extensive consultations led by the UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, WANEP-The Gambia, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS), Peace Hub, and the Peace Network. Between April 2023 and April 2024, 120 individuals—58 women and 62 men—were trained as mediators across all regions of The Gambia as part of the project.
Abaraham K Mendy (left) and UNDP Representative (right) © Askanwi
During the inauguration ceremony, Abraham K. Mendy, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, underscored the critical role of insider mediators in transforming attitudes and behaviors that contribute to violence. He explained that insider mediators create spaces for dialogue and act as bridges between conflicting groups. “When embedded within their communities, insider mediators possess an intimate understanding of local dynamics and power structures. This enables them to facilitate dialogue effectively and build sustainable peace by leveraging their credibility and trusted relationships with the parties involved,” Mendy stated.
EU Ambassador H.E. Immaculada Roca I Cortés also emphasized the vital role of the Insider Mediators Network, particularly in the context of The Gambia’s upcoming elections. “The upcoming elections are a crucial milestone in The Gambia’s democratic transition. As history has shown, electoral periods can heighten tensions and threaten social cohesion. The Insider Mediators Network will be instrumental in ensuring peaceful dispute resolution, maintaining open channels of dialogue, and equipping communities to address conflicts before they escalate,” Ambassador Roca I Cortés remarked.
EU Ambassador © Askanwi
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Mandisa Mashologu highlighted the impact of the EU-UNDP partnership in strengthening insider mediator networks across the country. “Through this collaboration, UNDP has supported the Ministry of Interior and civil society organizations in enhancing the capacity of insider mediators. I am pleased to note that 120 regional insider mediators—including women, youth, and persons with disabilities—have been selected through a participatory process,” she stated.
The Insider Mediators Network stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable peace and conflict resolution in The Gambia. By empowering trained mediators to foster dialogue and prevent disputes, this initiative lays the foundation for stronger community ties and long-term stability. As the country moves forward, the collaboration between Peace Hub The Gambia, UNDP, and the EU will be instrumental in ensuring that peace remains at the heart of national progress.
