These projects include transitional justice, security sector reform, resolution of land conflict, women and youth participation in decision making, rule of law and community policing, youth against political violence, returning migrants and climate change among others.
This was revealed at the opening of a two day review and coordination workshop organised by the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in collaboration with the Office of the President on the theme: ‘Learning Together to Harmonize Peacebuilding Initiatives for Better Results’.
The PBF has been one of the early supporters of the political transition in The Gambia.
Speaking at Tamala Beach Resort, Noah Touray, secretary general and head of Civil Service, said PBF has supported the transformation of the former Policy Analysis Unit (PAU) into the Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery (DSPD) under the Office of the President.
He added that the PBF investment commitment in The Gambia has reached a total of $26 million in the past five years, covering 13 projects.
He registered gratitude to the PBF for the assistance and UN agencies for the technical support. “We have so far registered commendable progress in sustaining peace, particularly in the areas of transitional justice, constitutional review, security, judicial reform, women and youth empowerment and participation and in the integration of returning migrants.”
Ms. Seraphine Wakana, UN resident coordinator, in her remarks, mentioned that the PBF Programme is a critical component of the global UN support to the government and people of The Gambia as it continues to strengthen democracy in the work after years of autocratic rule.
“Since the dawn of the democratic transition in 2017, and with the support of the UN Country Team’s ongoing support to the Gambian people, the UN Peacebuilding Fund was one of the first respondents to support the government in its aspirations towards democratic reforms and transitional justice,” she pointed out.
She encouraged participants to actively review and reflect on their work as well as challenges with open and constructive conversations, noting that the PBF funded projects are designed annually and approved after consultative engagements with national partners and beneficiaries to ensure that identified interventions are relevant with peacebuilding effects.
She further encouraged all technical persons and beneficiaries working on the projects to enhance the visibility of the positive results of the initiatives to attract interest and catalyse more support from other donors to sustain the peace and stability of the country.
