Gambia's parties sign peace accord ahead of December election
Parties, the electoral commission and international bodies pledged to keep the December 5 presidential vote free of violence and intimidation.
Political parties and national and international stakeholders signed a revised peace accord on Thursday, November 12, at the International Conference Centre, ahead of The Gambia's December 5 presidential election. The 2026 Janjanbureh Peace Accord aims to prevent electoral violence, intimidation, hate speech and political intolerance.
The Inter-Party Committee (IPC) brought together registered parties, the Independent Electoral Commission, the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union, civil society and religious communities. IPC Co-Chair Ejatou Jallow said political competition should never lead to violence or hatred, and called on women, young people and marginalised groups to take part without fear.
UNDP Resident Coordinator Mandisa Mashologu said the accord's success would depend on party leaders and their supporters. The European Union said it would deploy an independent Election Observation Mission at the government's invitation, and ECOWAS urged parties to share the commitments with candidates, polling agents and supporters across the country.
Why it mattersCandidates, polling agents and supporters are now asked to abide by the accord's commitments through the December 5 vote and after it.