Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow has called on African countries to prioritize peace as a prerequisite for democracy, development, and regional cooperation, stressing that the continent can only maximize its vast resources through unity and collective action.

The Gambian leader made the remarks on Thursday morning during an audience with a delegation from the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL) and the Institute for Security Studies’ regional program, IDEAS, at the State House in Banjul.

The delegation was led by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Head of MISAHEL in Mali, Dr Mamadou Tangara.

President Barrow said Africa must speak with one voice in addressing its security and development challenges, noting that peace remains the cornerstone of democratic governance. “The foundation of democracy is peace,” he said, urging Africans and their development partners to jointly tackle the continent’s complex and interconnected security threats.

He emphasized that collective effort would enable African nations to better harness their shared knowledge, experience, and natural resources for sustainable progress.

The president also acknowledged IDEAS’ ongoing interventions in The Gambia, encouraging the organization to sustain its support as the country moves towards the conclusion of its democratic transition. He noted that The Gambia is preparing to end its transition through peaceful elections expected at the end of 2026.

President Barrow further expressed pride in the leadership of Dr. Tangara, a Gambian, at the helm of MISAHEL, describing it as a source of national and continental pride.

He advised the delegation to maintain a collective and inclusive approach in pursuing their mandate, saying such cooperation would be key to achieving lasting peace and stability in the Sahel region.