Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has called on African leaders to rethink their approach to governance in the Sahel region by investing in people’s welfare and building wealth to secure peace and restore public trust.
Speaking on Thursday during the inaugural Sahel Governance Forum held in Banjul, The Gambia, Dr. Jonathan said the only way to solve the region’s long-standing problems was through “consequential collaborations” that put the people first. The forum was jointly organised by the Government of The Gambia, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other international partners.
Dr. Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, didn’t mince words when he declared: “If we want peace, we must first build wealth and prosperity.” His message was simple but powerful—addressing poverty and empowering farmers is more effective than any military solution.
The former president explained that during his administration, Nigeria invested heavily in rehabilitating irrigation systems in the northern region. His then Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina—now the outgoing president of the African Development Bank—was instrumental in that push.
“Farmers must be able to grow crops at least three times a year. That’s how you create wealth and reduce youth vulnerability. When people are poor, especially young people, they can do anything to survive,” Jonathan said.
He stressed that the Sahel governance challenges are deeply rooted in economic inequality, environmental degradation, and weak political structures—not just in security issues. To get results, he said, leaders must adopt a bottom-up approach to governance that focuses on creating opportunities and giving citizens a sense of belonging.
The Sahel region, which stretches across West and Central Africa, is home to rich cultures and natural resources. But it also battles some of Africa’s worst crises—terrorism, food insecurity, poverty, and weak institutions. Jonathan likened the region’s fragile ecosystem to that of ancient Rome and other collapsed empires, warning that environmental neglect could worsen instability.
According to him, “What we are seeing in the Sahel is not new. When empires neglected their people and allowed land degradation, they fell. We must learn from history.”
The Sahel Governance Forum brought together a wide range of leaders, including former heads of state, civil society actors, diplomats, academics, and youth representatives. The goal was clear: to forge practical solutions for rebuilding social cohesion, political trust, and regional stability.
Gambian President Adama Barrow, who declared the forum open, echoed Jonathan’s views, stating that solving the Sahel governance challenges would require deep regional unity, fairness, and justice. He urged leaders not to dwell on the past but to commit to home-grown solutions that offer real hope for citizens.
“The Sahel is a region of immense promise,” President Barrow said. “But we have allowed insecurity and political instability to overshadow that promise. It is time to turn the page and chart a new course based on trust, inclusion, and opportunity for all.”
Also speaking at the event, UNDP Africa Director Ahunna Eziakonwa drew attention to the imbalance in how governments allocate resources.
“In many Sahel countries, over 60 percent of the national budget goes to defense and security, while education and healthcare are underfunded,” she noted. “We keep sending more soldiers instead of more teachers. That is not a security strategy—it’s a governance failure.”
She insisted that the Sahel should not be seen as a military zone but as a political and development opportunity to change how leadership is exercised and how institutions respond to people’s needs.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, added another critical perspective. He warned that democracy in the region must move beyond elections and slogans. “Real democracy means accountability, discipline, and delivery. We cannot continue to sit on gold mines while our people remain in poverty,” he said.
Jonathan wrapped up his speech with a call to action: African leaders must plan with young people in mind. “Africa must care for the young people because they are the future of the continent,” he said. He encouraged the youth to be strategic and avoid shortcuts to success, while urging leaders to create pathways for their growth.
The Sahel Governance Forum marked a significant shift in how African leaders are beginning to frame the conversation around peace and development. Rather than focusing only on terrorism or military solutions, the forum emphasized practical governance reforms and investment in people.
From Jonathan’s stirring message to Barrow’s rallying cry for solidarity, the central message was clear: the future of the Sahel—and of Africa—depends on leadership that listens, plans, and delivers real change
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