𝐌𝐑. 𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐊𝐎 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 (𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐏) 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bakary Dena Sonko as African Youth Ambassador for Peace (AYAP), to the 4th Cohort, representing the West African Region from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028.

This prestigious appointment, endorsed by the African Union Peace and Security Council, recognises Mr. Sonko’s leadership, commitment and dedication to advancing peace, security and youth engagement across the African continent.

In this role, Mr. Sonko will work with the African Union and other stakeholders to advance the Youth, Peace and Security agenda across West Africa. His responsibilities will include:

▪️Advocating for the promotion and protection of the rights of young people within the region;
▪️Raising awareness of the African Union Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (CFYPS) and its 10-Year Implementation Plan;
▪️Supporting AU Member States in coordinating the Youth for Peace Programme and facilitating the development and implementation of National Action Plans;
▪️Implementing regional youth-focused initiatives aligned with the five priority areas of the CFYPS; and
▪️Representing the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security in meetings, trainings and workshops, when required.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its full confidence in Mr. Sonko’s ability to effectively deliver this mandate and contribute meaningfully to advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda across the West African region.

This appointment is a source of pride for The Gambia and reflects the country’s continued contribution to peace-building and youth leadership on the African continent.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its sincere congratulations to Mr. Sonko and wishes him success in this important role.

𝐄𝐍𝐃.