AGP Executive Report

Justice for Survivors: The Gambia’s specialised court for sexual and gender-based violence cases is complete and awaiting inauguration. It is intended to speed up cases, reduce backlogs and protect survivors’ privacy, though questions remain about resources and how it will operate. Heritage and Borders: The Gambia-Senegal boundary exercise has entered its second phase, with colonial-era pillars identified using historical records and maps preserved by the National Centre for Arts and Culture. Food and Culture: WAFFEST runs in The Gambia from October 15 to 21, bringing chefs from more than 30 countries together to celebrate West African food and heritage. Keeping Traditions Alive: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group is seeking support for instruments, costumes and transport after more than 35 years promoting Gambian traditions. Griot Music: Gambian kora player Sura Susso and Malian musician Habib Koité are touring the UK with a new collaboration celebrating Manding music and oral heritage. Trafficking Response: The Gambia retained Tier 2 status in the latest trafficking report; investigations and prosecutions increased, but limited funding and specialist training remain challenges.

Film and Resilience: A new documentary tells the story of the Refugee Dream Center’s founder, bringing refugee experiences and the fight for press freedom into focus. Food and Culture: The West African Food Festival opens in The Gambia, October 15–21, with more than 30 countries expected to share culinary traditions and compete in cooking events. Brikama Heritage: Keseng Keseng Cultural Group is seeking support to sustain its 35-year effort to keep Gambian songs, dance and drama alive, especially for young people. Art and Environment: Photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s new exhibition includes images of Gambian rice farmers facing saltwater intrusion and changing livelihoods. Bathurst History: A report on a 1917 colonial palm-wine ordinance explores the drink’s place in the town’s economy. Migration: IOM says arrivals in Europe from The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea and Mali fell 59% in the first half of 2026, while warning that dangerous routes may shift rather than disappear.

Cultural Calendar: The West African Food Festival is set to bring more than 30 countries to The Gambia from October 15–21, with cooking competitions and a celebration of regional food heritage. Keeping Traditions Alive: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group says it needs instruments, costumes and transport to continue promoting Gambian music, dance and drama after 35 years of activity. Art and Environment: Nigerian photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s exhibition in Wales includes images of Gambian rice farmers facing saltwater intrusion and shrinking fields. History: A National Archives feature traces palm wine’s role in Bathurst-era livelihoods and trade, and the colonial authorities’ 1917 efforts to regulate tapping and sales. National Unity: As the December election approaches, President Adama Barrow has urged Gambians to reject tribalism, amid rising political accusations over ethnic bias.

Food Heritage: The West African Food Festival is set to bring more than 30 countries to The Gambia from October 15 to 21, with cooking competitions and events celebrating regional cuisine and cultural exchange. Cultural Preservation: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group is seeking support for instruments, costumes and transport after more than 35 years promoting Gambian traditions. Gambian Stories Abroad: Nigerian photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s new exhibition in Wales includes images of rice farmers in The Gambia facing saltwater intrusion and shrinking growing opportunities. Tourism Beyond the Coast: As the 2026/27 season begins, tourism advocates say visitors should be encouraged to explore the country’s heritage and rural attractions, so more communities can benefit.

Cultural Festival: Organisers say The Gambia is ready to host more than 30 countries at WAFFEST, the West African Food Festival, from October 15 to 21. The programme will celebrate regional cuisine and cultural exchange. Heritage at Risk: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group says it has spent 35 years promoting Gambian traditions but lacks instruments, costumes and transport. It is asking government and NGOs for support to keep its work going. Social Protection: SSHFC is preparing to pilot Taye Sama, a new scheme designed to extend social security to informal-sector workers, who make up much of the workforce. Tourism Season: The first direct charter flight of the 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors from London to Banjul. A recent call for tourism to spread benefits beyond coastal resorts highlights opportunities for rural communities and local cultural businesses. History: Archival records show palm wine was an important part of livelihoods and trade in colonial Bathurst and surrounding areas, before authorities proposed restrictions in 1917.

Tourism Season: The first charter flight of The Gambia’s 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors from London to Banjul. The Tourism Board expects more UK flights, while advocates say the benefits should reach rural communities and showcase the country’s culture beyond the coast. African Cinema: The Reffa Film Festival and Awards drew 314 submissions from 36 countries for its second edition, aiming to raise the profile of African stories and filmmakers. Cultural Heritage: A look at a 1917 colonial ordinance traces palm wine’s role in livelihoods and trade in Bathurst, present-day Banjul, and surrounding communities. Girls’ Rights: A new $100 million fund aims to strengthen the fight against FGM. Gambian survivor advocates are urging African-led, survivor-centred action to protect girls.

Tourism Season: The first London charter of the 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors to Banjul, welcomed with cultural performances. The Gambia Tourism Board expects more UK flights, while advocates say tourism gains should reach rural communities and attractions beyond the coast. African Film: REFFA drew 314 submissions from 36 countries for its second edition, with organisers aiming to boost African filmmakers’ visibility and career opportunities. Cultural History: National Archives research traces palm wine’s role in livelihoods and trade in Bathurst, Kombo St Mary and Foni, and how a 1917 colonial ordinance sought to regulate tapping and sales. Girls’ Rights: A new fund aims to raise $100 million to fight female genital mutilation. Gambian survivor advocates say progress needs political will and sustained support for community-led efforts. National Unity: President Adama Barrow urged Gambians to reject tribalism, saying shared work and peaceful coexistence matter more than ethnic identity.

Justice: Nobel laureate Navi Pillay’s career in international law has a direct link to The Gambia: she is serving as a judge in the country’s case against Myanmar over alleged genocide. Ending FGM: Gambian survivor advocate Sophie Mane is calling for survivor-led support as the Her Horizon Fund seeks $100 million to fight FGM and protect girls. Community Life: President Adama Barrow returned to Banjul after a 10-day provincial tour, welcomed by crowds, singing, dancing and cultural displays. Border Communities: The Gambia and Senegal have begun sensitising residents about a border-marking exercise, stressing it clarifies the existing boundary and does not take community land. Girls’ Leadership: Gambian participants joined an African Girls Assembly urging early investment in girls’ confidence and leadership skills.

Child Protection: A new commentary argues that female genital mutilation imposed on children is abuse and should be banned, urging stronger child-welfare protections. Border Communities: The Gambia and Senegal have begun a campaign to explain border densification, reassuring residents it will clarify the existing boundary, not redraw it or take community land. International Justice: South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on human rights and international law. She is an ad hoc judge in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Mental Health: West Africa remains short of mental-health specialists and funding; The Gambia reportedly spends about 0.5% of its health budget on mental health and has one tertiary psychiatric hospital.

Border Cooperation: Eight West African countries met in Banjul to advance boundary work and regional cooperation. Separately, Gambian and Senegalese officials told communities in Njaw that the border exercise will clarify the existing boundary, not redraw it or take land. Girls’ Leadership: Gambian participants joined Africa’s first Girls Assembly, where advocates called for early investment in girls’ confidence, skills and leadership. Navi Pillay’s Nobel: The South African jurist’s Peace Prize highlights her work on justice and international law; she is also serving as a judge in the genocide case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar. Mental Health: A regional report says The Gambia spends about 0.5% of its health budget on mental health and has just one tertiary psychiatric hospital. Volleyball Coaching: The Gambia Volleyball Federation held a five-day FIVB Level 2 course to build coaching skills and strengthen the sport’s development.

Border Communities: The Gambia and Senegal have launched a campaign to explain their border densification exercise, stressing that it clarifies the existing boundary and will not take land from communities. Officials urged residents to stay calm and preserve peaceful ties across the border. Girls’ Leadership: Gambian participants joined Africa’s first Girls Assembly, where advocates called for early investment in girls’ confidence, skills and leadership. Child Marriage: UNICEF says the practice remains sharply unequal: 43% of women in rural areas were married before 18, compared with 17% in urban areas. It says laws must be backed by better access to quality education. Mental Health: West Africa faces a shortage of specialists and funding; The Gambia spends about 0.5% of its health budget on mental health and has one tertiary psychiatric hospital. International Justice: Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay, recognised for her work on human rights and international law, serves as an ad hoc judge in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar over alleged genocide.

International Justice: Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize recognises her work advancing human rights and accountability. The former UN rights chief is also an ad hoc judge in The Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar. Nutrition: Vice President Muhammed Jallow has urged action on malnutrition as The Gambia launches a new 10-year nutrition policy, targeting child undernutrition, nutrient deficiencies and rising diet-related illness. Girls’ Rights: UNICEF is calling for stronger investment in education and protection to help end child marriage. The practice remains sharply unequal: 43% of rural women aged 20–24 were married before 18, compared with 17% in urban areas, according to 2019–20 figures. Sport & Skills: The Gambia Volleyball Federation’s new FIVB Level 2 course is training coaches from across Africa to raise coaching standards and strengthen the sport’s development.

International Justice: Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work advancing human rights and international law. She is an ad hoc judge in the genocide case The Gambia brought against Myanmar. Girls’ Rights: UNICEF is urging stronger action to end child marriage in The Gambia, calling for more investment in girls’ education, social protection and child-protection services. Health and Nutrition: The government launched a 10-year nutrition policy to tackle undernutrition, vitamin deficiencies and rising obesity, with a focus on women, adolescents and young children. Faith and Community: President Adama Barrow inaugurated a new mosque in Gunjur, where religious leaders called for peace, unity and stability. Sport: The Gambia Volleyball Federation began a five-day FIVB Level 2 course to build coaching skills and strengthen the sport’s development. Safe Migration: Immigration officers intercepted 101 people, including minors, attempting irregular migration in Mandinaba; a suspected smuggler was detained.

Faith & Community: President Adama Barrow opened a Presidency-funded mosque in Gunjur, where the imam urged peace, unity and religious devotion. Tourism: GTBoard and the Tourism Security Unit are coordinating safety preparations ahead of the 2026/27 winter season, a key period for visitors and tourism businesses. Rural Health: A free medical outreach in Kaur saw 51 health professionals treat more than 4,000 people; organisers urged regular check-ups to catch conditions such as hypertension early. Youth: ActionAid and the National Youth Council brought more than 240 young people together to discuss the National Youth Policy and priorities including skills, jobs and wellbeing. Women’s Rights: An FGM survivor recounts how learning about the practice changed her view of it, while WAVE trained 50 women to address political violence and hate speech. Identity & Culture: Imam Musa Boto Saidy apologised to the Manjago community for an offensive remark, and the two sides reconciled. The Gambia has also launched a homegrown kora music platform, while Guineans in the country marked their nation’s independence anniversary.

Tourism & Safety: GTBoard and the Tourism Security Unit are reviewing security plans ahead of the 2026/27 winter season, aiming to give visitors a safer stay. Women’s Rights: An activist’s account of once viewing FGM as tradition traces her shift towards recognising the harm and joining the fight for justice. Youth: ActionAid and the National Youth Council brought more than 240 young people together in Kanifing to discuss the National Youth Policy, with sessions planned across the country. Community Health: A free outreach in Kaur treated more than 4,000 people; organisers urged rural residents to get regular check-ups, noting high rates of undiagnosed hypertension. Culture & Heritage: The Gambia has launched a homegrown kora music platform, creating a new space for the country’s musical heritage. Community Relations: Imam Musa Boto Saidy apologised to the Manjago community over an offensive remark, and both sides accepted a reconciliation brokered by the Religious Affairs Minister.

Religious Reconciliation: Imam Musa Boto Saidy apologised for calling members of the Manjago community “Kafir” and was forgiven at a meeting led by Religious Affairs Minister Hamat Bah, who said the dispute was resolved amicably. Women in Public Life: Fifty women received training in preventing political violence and hate speech at a Banjul forum organised by WAVE, which has reached more than 800 people through its wider programme. TRRC Accountability: The ECOWAS Court adopted a settlement committing The Gambia to investigate Mahawa Cham’s 2013 disappearance and killing, pursue accountability and reparations, and return his remains to his family. Education: The Gambia Teachers’ Union is urging higher public education spending, improved teacher allowances and the establishment of a Teacher Service Commission.