Six West African nations, including the host country, the Gambia, have reaffirmed their commitment to unity, peace, and cross-border prosperity as the 32nd edition of the SAFRA-OA Conference officially opened in Basse, Upper River Region, under the theme “Strengthening Peace, Security, Inclusion and Cross-Border Development under ECOWAS Protocols.”
The sub-regional gathering, funded by ActionAid International, The Gambia, brought together high-level delegates from Senegal, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Guinea-Conakry, and the host nation, The Gambia. For over three decades, SAFRA-OA has served as a vital people-centred platform, prioritizing communities over borders and fostering dialogue among citizens, local authorities, youth, and civil society.
Speaking on behalf of ActionAid International, The Gambia’s Executive Director, Mr. Saiba T. Suso, Manager of Local Rights Programmes 8 & 11, hailed the strong participation as evidence of shared dedication to ECOWAS values. “For more than thirty years, SAFRA has proven that true regional integration must be people-centred,” Suso declared. He stressed that integration extends beyond trade agreements to encompass human rights and dignity, particularly for women and youth.
Suso underscored ActionAid’s alignment with SAFRA’s goals, emphasizing ongoing work in girls’ and women’s rights, youth leadership, democratic governance, and resilient livelihoods for marginalized groups. “Sustainable peace and development require meaningful empowerment of women and young people in decision-making,” he added, pledging continued collaboration with the Gambian government, ECOWAS, civil society, and border communities to advance gender equality and social justice.
Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, Gambia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties binding the region. “No single country can enjoy lasting peace if the sub-region is unstable,” he warned, reaffirming The Gambia’s dedication to regional stability.
Addressing irregular migration—a pressing challenge for West African youth—Minister Badjie argued that enhanced economic integration and political cooperation could create local opportunities and curb dangerous journeys abroad. Noting that SAFRA’s 12 member countries represent nearly half of ECOWAS, he described the organization as a robust foundation for broader continental unity. He urged delegates to produce concrete, implementable recommendations for governments.
From a local perspective, Mr. Samba Bah, Governor of the Upper River Region, called for collective action on cross-border challenges. He insisted that conference outcomes must translate into formal policies through executive and legislative channels, rather than remaining declarations. Bah praised SAFRA’s complementary role alongside established regional bodies and encouraged frank discussions leading to actionable proposals.
Mama Manneh, President of SAFRA-AO, reflected on the organization’s 32-year legacy as a hub for integration, peace, and trade, crediting it with amplifying community voices and promoting coexistence.
As proceedings began, participants conveyed a unified message: West Africa’s integration must be inclusive, community-driven, and results-oriented. The conference represents a renewed push for collaboration to deliver tangible benefits—peace, security, and development—to border communities across the sub-region.
