The Kairaba Conservation & Leadership Organisation wish to honour the life and legacy of the first President of the Gambia Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, GCMG GCRG by instituting an annual lecture on the rule of law, human rights, and democracy in his name. As Africa’s greatest champion for the rule of law, human rights and democracy, Kairaba leaves behind a rich legacy on which we as a nation can draw inspiration and guidance.

The Kairaba Jawara Pan African Lecture celebrates the memory of a leader who worked tirelessly towards, and achieved so much, in realising the goals of human rights and democracy and the lecture will be the centerpiece of a wide-ranging Pan African dialogue and renewal programme. The Kairaba Lecture will form part of the annual celebrations of Sir Dawda’s birthday and creates an opportunity for leaders of international standing to present their views on critical issues impacting society at large. The Kairaba Lecture series will encourage people to engage in conversations about important national subjects – in order to address the global challenges, we face today. The Lecture Series will provide the historical context, resources and a safe, non-partisan space, physically and intellectually, where open and frank discourse can take place.

Theme of the Inaugural Lecture: “Sustainable Development through Access to Justice and the Rule of Law, accelerating progress on Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies in conflict and crisis situations”. The rule of law is universally accepted as the foundation for peace, justice, respect for human rights, effective democracy, and sustainable development. The rule of law influences every person’s daily life and helps communities organize themselves collectively to address challenges and to progress. However, in West Africa after two decades of democratic progress the rule of law is under severe strain. Unconstitutional change of governments, human insecurity violence, corruption, and impunity are affecting millions of people in the ECOWAS region. At the same time, a growing number of governments are embracing authoritarian tendencies. Together, these circumstances reflect the weakening of institutional mechanisms needed to uphold accountability, to ensure the just enforcement of laws, and to protect human rights. In the face of these challenges—exacerbated by the global climate crises and the global economic slowdown following the COVID 19 Pandemic—there is a need for a shared understanding and a systematic, robust, and actionable assessment of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law.

To achieve this, we must identify rule of law strengths, weaknesses, progress, and setbacks. To this end, the KCLO is pleased to present the Inaugural Kairaba Jawara Pan African Lecture. The Lecturer will dilate theme considering key factors that encompass the concept of the rule of law: The Kairaba Conservation & Leadership Organisation seeks to contribute to a peaceful and just society by promoting the vision and work of the first President of the Gambia, using his example, to convene dialogue around critical sustainable development issues. The first President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, based his entire leadership style on the principle of the rule of Law, human rights, and democracy.