Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia has once again been ranked among Africa’s 10 most peaceful countries, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026, a report that highlights the country’s relative stability at a time when conflict and insecurity continue to affect many parts of the continent.
The annual index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, paints a concerning picture of global security, noting that peacefulness has declined worldwide for the 15th time in the last 18 years amid ongoing wars, rising geopolitical tensions, and record levels of military spending.
Despite a slight deterioration in peacefulness across Sub-Saharan Africa, The Gambia was listed 4th among the continent’s best-performing countries, alongside Mauritius, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Ghana.
The report attributes the strong performance of these countries to factors including political stability, lower levels of violent crime, stronger institutions, and limited involvement in armed conflicts.
Regional Security Concerns Persist
While The Gambia’s ranking underscores its reputation as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, the report warns that the broader region continues to face significant security threats.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s average peacefulness score worsened by 0.2 percent in 2026, with the region now accounting for eight of the world’s 20 least peaceful countries. The deterioration has been driven largely by persistent conflicts and extremist violence across the Central Sahel.
According to the report, terrorist groups remain a major source of instability in the Sahel, which continues to account for more than half of global terrorism-related deaths despite a decline in such fatalities during 2025.
Experts Warn of Emerging Threats
Thomas Morgan, a co-author of the report, cautioned that African policymakers should also monitor the potential consequences of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Morgan said the full impact of the war could begin to affect African countries within the next three to six months through broader geopolitical and security repercussions.
He also expressed concern over the changing security landscape in the Sahel, arguing that the region’s growing reliance on Russian-backed security forces has placed greater emphasis on regime protection than on counter-terrorism operations.
According to Morgan, extremist groups such as JNIM have evolved beyond insurgent movements and now control significant territory in parts of the Sahel, allowing them to impose economic and fuel blockades on communities.
A Positive Signal for The Gambia
The Gambia’s inclusion among Africa’s most peaceful nations comes as the country continues efforts to consolidate democratic governance and maintain internal stability following years of political reforms.
The ranking is likely to bolster the country’s image as a stable destination for investment and tourism, particularly at a time when many countries across the region are grappling with security challenges.
Globally, the report found that more than 181,000 people were killed in violent conflicts during 2025, while the number of forcibly displaced people remained above 117 million. Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and conflicts across the Sahel were identified among the major contributors to the continued decline in global peacefulness.
Despite these troubling trends, The Gambia’s strong performance in the latest index places it among a small group of African countries that continue to demonstrate resilience and relative stability in an increasingly volatile world.
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