More than 300 regional stakeholders came together for the first Sahel Governance Forum in July 2025 in The Gambia to discuss governance issues in the Sahel. The forum’s topic, ‘(Re)Building Public Trust and Social Cohesion,'”‘ focused on cross-border, people-centered government that is based on accountability and inclusion. Participants looked at institutional reforms, youth and gender participation, and trust-building tactics against a backdrop of instability, democratic decline, and economic challenges. President Adama Barrow, former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Touray were among the prominent speakers who emphasized that governance must go beyond elections to include accountability, integrity, and economic transformation. Young people and female leaders called for real involvement rather than merely symbolic representation. A flagship report that was introduced at the meeting pointed out flaws in systemic governance and offered a reform roadmap. Among the results were pledges to regional integration, inclusive governance models, and a governance compact that connected development, security, and peace. The forum ended with a commitment to put in place a regional strategy and set up systems for accountability and ongoing cooperation.