Amnesty Km Office Holds National Youth Dialogue on Civic Space Ahead of December Polls

Amnesty International Kanifing Municipality Group recently staged a national youth dialogue on civic space, peaceful assembly and the 2026 Presidential Election, calling on young people to claim their rights and demand accountability from state institutions.

The forum held at Alliance Française, Kairaba Avenue, brought together 100 youth leaders, human rights defenders, and senior representatives from the NHRC, Ministry of Justice, National Assembly Select Committee on Human Rights, IEC, and TANGO.

Muhammed Hydara, President of Amnesty International KM Group, said the dialogue was urgent because young people are both the majority and the deciding vote.

“Young people make up over 60% of the population according to GBOS statistics,” Hydara said. “We are the electorate that decides who becomes the next president. Yet civic space is under threat. This forum exists to protect our rights and ensure we are not sidelined in 2026.”

Basiru Bah, Senior Legal Officer at NHRC, said youth participation is protected by law but denied in practice.

“The diaspora cannot vote unless they travel to The Gambia. Prisoners cannot vote. Persons with disabilities are largely barred from voting,” Bah said.

“A significant number of young people are disenfranchised by these exclusions. That must change before December 2026.”

Demba Jallow, Education and Training Officer at the IEC, stressed that elections determine the country’s future.

“Election is everybody’s business. Elections can make or break a nation,” Jallow said.

Hon Suwaibou Touray, Member of the National Assembly Select Committee on Human Rights, said youth presence in Parliament is not translating into youth priorities.

“There are no fewer than 16 members of the National Assembly who qualify as youth,” Touray said. “But when it comes to laws and policies affecting young people, I do not see that representation. We need lawmakers who speak for young people, not just sit as young people.”

Madi Jorbateh, Executive Director of The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, delivered a direct message: “We are not beneficiaries. We are not spectators. We are not leaders of tomorrow. We are citizens today and tomorrow.”

The dialogue emphasised that civic participation must not end at the ballot box. Young people were urged to engage before, during, and after the elections through advocacy, monitoring, and holding institutions accountable.

Amnesty International KM said the forum is the first in a series to mobilize young voters and defend democratic rights ahead of the 2026 polls.