The five-day caravan kicked off from Niani and Nianija Districts under the ‘Empowering Marginalized Young People for Inclusion in Civic Space and Local Infrastructure for Peace’ project.
The campaign aims to foster youth leadership in peacebuilding and conflict resolution by calling for the inclusion of young individuals, women, and persons with disabilities in District Tribunals.
In Niani, the delegation met with Chief Pierre Bah and his tribunal members.
Saikou Bah, head of delegation from AAITG, briefed the chief of the diverse coalition of organizations, including SaHMA, RYC, and Activista, working collectively for youth empowerment.
Cherno Gaye of Activista explained the rationale behind the caravan, saying youth are often at the forefront of community conflicts and possess a unique understanding of their peers.
“Their presence in District Tribunals is essential to ensure their voices are heard and their interests protected.” he stated.
Echoing the call, Alpha Omar Jallow, President, Keur Cherno Ecozone, Lower Niumi, North Bank Region, calls for broader inclusion, especially of youth and people with disabilities.
Rose of SAHMA also appealed to the chief to support reintegration efforts for returnees.
The Chief of Niani, Pierre Bah while acknowledging the challenges of expanding tribunal membership due to financial constraints, affirmed that women and youth already serve in the tribunal, albeit with limited compensation.
Chief Bah pledged to work with the district youth committee to appoint a youth representative aged 18–35, with support from ActionAid for interim funding.
The caravan later proceeded to Nianija District, where Chief Dawda York warmly received the team.
Welcoming the delegation to his district, Chief York lauded the campaign’s efforts and praised the government’s commitment to democratic freedoms that allow such initiatives to thrive.
He acknowledged that as the first to appoint a woman to his tribunal, he shared impressive conflict resolution results, out of 87 cases received, only 14 were referred to the courts, with the majority resolved internally.
He urged youth to always have respect for the rule of law and take up agriculture, and participate in national development.
“You must not wait for the government; you must be the change,” he advised.
Reinforcing the call for inclusion, Isatou Juwara of Activista emphasized the need for youth involvement in planning and decision-making, while Saikou Bah reassured stakeholders that ActionAid will continue to support initiatives that align with community values and development.
Jainaba, a Lady Councilor in the area, commended the chief’s progressive leadership and urged women to leverage their numbers to attain leadership positions, including the presidency.
“Let us support one another and stop tearing each other down,” she concluded.
The day’s engagements ended with renewed hope that this campaign will pave the way for a more inclusive and peaceful Gambia, where youth play an active role in shaping their communities.
