By Omar Mboob, World BEYOND War Gambia Chapter Coordinator, October 18, 2026

World BEYOND War Gambia chapter organized a Multi-stakeholder community dialogue on disarmament and peace on 17 October 2026,  at the National Youth Council Hall in Banjul, The Gambia. The event brought together 20 participants, including youth leaders, students, women representatives, grassroots organizers, and civil society representatives, to discuss the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, community security, nonviolent conflict prevention, and youth participation in peacebuilding. The dialogue took place against the backdrop of security concerns associated with illicit arms trafficking, particularly around the Foni region and the cross-border corridor linking The Gambia and Senegal’s Casamance region. Participants emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence, community engagement, and constructive dialogue in preventing violence and promoting national development.

A central theme of the dialogue was the need to address the proliferation of weapons while strengthening communities’ capacity to prevent violence. Participants discussed how young people can challenge attitudes that normalize violence, promote nonviolent alternatives, and take an active role in their communities in order to contribute to peacebuilding. Three strategic priorities emerged from the discussions:

• Demilitarizing the youth mindset: participants highlighted the importance of peace education, youth empowerment, and the promotion of alternatives to violence. They emphasized the need to help young people recognize their potential as peacebuilders and encourage their active participation in initiatives that strengthen social cohesion.
• Strengthening community early warning systems: the dialogue highlighted the importance of cooperation between young community leaders and relevant authorities in identifying potential threats and preventing violence. Participants committed to report security concerns responsibly and support timely responses to emerging tensions.
• Promoting Nonviolent Conflict Resolution: the value of traditional Bantaba (mediation and peaceful negotiation) was also emphasized. This community approach offers opportunities for people to discuss disagreements, build mutual understanding, and resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.

Beyond identifying challenges, the participants proposed to the chapter some initiatives that can be translated into practical action. These included establishing regional peace hubs, launching a “Books Over Bullets” campaign, strengthening cross-border youth peacebuilding alliances including with the World BEYOND War Senegal chapter, and promoting peaceful civic engagement ahead of The Gambia’s December 2026 elections. These proposals reflect an interest in connecting disarmament with broader efforts to strengthen community safety, youth participation, and peaceful democratic engagement.

The discussions continued beyond the scheduled closing time, because of participants’ interest in disarmament and peacebuilding. The time added provided an opportunity for everyone to share perspectives and explore areas for future collaboration with the chapter. The dialogue concluded with a commitment by the WBW Gambia chapter to document the recommendations, explore engagement with policymakers and civil society stakeholders, and develop related follow-up activities.

The activity was supported by the WBW African Chapters Support Program, which helps African chapters implement locally led initiatives to advance peace and World BEYOND War’s mission to end all war. The Gambia Chapter expresses its appreciation to the program for making the initiative possible and thanks all participants and stakeholders for their contributions toward building a peaceful Gambia.

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