Validation workshop on forthcoming report on AU–ECOWAS engagement during the 2016–2017 crisis

On 2-3 September, TfP colleagues organised a validation workshop in Banjul to present and discuss the draft report “The Gambia Has Decided: A Model for Intervention or a Missed Opportunity?”. The report examines the roles of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in The Gambia’s 2016–2017 political crisis and its aftermath, assessing how the two institutions coordinated their support and what lessons can be drawn for future interventions in Africa. The workshop brought together government officials, civil society representatives, academics, and security actors, many of whom had already participated in earlier stages of the research, including interviews and consultations.

Over the course of two days, participants engaged in structured discussions on each section of the report, providing detailed and constructive feedback and additional perspectives. A final session was dedicated to reviewing the draft recommendations, ensuring they reflect Gambian voices and priorities. This iterative process not only enriched the analysis but also strengthened the legitimacy and ownership of the findings.