Good
morning Mr. President, once again we take this opportunity to wish you a happy
new year and also to congratulate you on the formation of your new political
party, National People’s Party (NPP).
Mr.
President one important issue that presently needs urgent attention is the
leadership crisis that has gripped the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) before it
escalates to an unwanted situation.
It
could be recalled that last week, the Majmou’atu Rawdatil Majaalis, formed a
new executive claiming to be the rightful body to lead the Gambia Supreme
Islamic Council (GSIC).
This
development came barely months after they urged the country’s supreme Islamic
council to call a congress for election of a new executive because according to
them, the current executive’s term expired long time ago.
The
GSIC has also questioned the credibility of the Rawdatul Majlis, saying that
they are not a registered member of the Supreme Islamic Council, stressing that
only registered Islamic Organisations have a say in the selection or election
of any leader of the organisation.
As
the war of words for leadership position at The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council
(SIC), the country’s main or highest Muslim decision-making movement continues,
there is need for dialogue to reach a consensus. This rather unfortunate war of
words is only tearing the country’s mainly Muslim majority apart. We are a
country of decent people. We have exercised maturity even through the heights
of many beliefs which was a herculean task. Let’s exercise the same maturity.
Mr.
President at the moment there aren’t national issues that need urgent attention
than solving the SIC leadership row. Therefore, your government needs to
immediately establish an independent task-force committee that will be working
with the two bodies in order to address the crisis for the betterment of the
country’s peace and stability.
Taking
into account that about 95% of Gambia’s population are Muslims, hence no one
needs to remind you that a crisis of such nature has the potential to
destabilise the country if it’s not addressed. In fact, it can even set the
country on fire.
Mr.
President, the government must come out with firm decision so that this
leadership row will be put to rest in order to enable the rightful body take
the mantle of leadership of the Islamic Council in the country.
Mr.
President, Operation Three Years Jotna movement is claiming that they will
protest come January 20 and also former ruling party, APRC also want to protest
come January 17 to demand former
President Jammeh’s return if the days are to go by. Now the question is what if
the supporters of one of the groups claiming to be the rightful body of GSIC
also want to protest, will the security of the country be able to handle all
these protests? Thus you need to act fast.
Mr.
President our security apparatus also need to strengthen their operations. The
recent robbery in an Islamic Bank in
Farafenni also needs our security apparatus to continue on their patrols. In
fact, Farafenni over the years has been a target for armed robbery.
Therefore,
authorities should act swiftly to eradicate this ugly phenomenon in the
country. Certainly, we all should put our hands on deck to collaborate with the
security to minimise the rate of robbery in the country. The recent robbery
incidents raise question and call for concerted effort by all stakeholders to
work with the security forces so that we can eradicate robbery.
Mr.
President we acknowledge the numerous efforts being undertaken by the
government in addressing unemployment and related problems in country. However,
there’s still more to be done in addressing this phenomenon. It is an
indisputable fact that when young people are not employed they can resort to
anything to eke out a living. With the help of the International communities, illegal
migration should be eradicated to avoid increases in youths venturing in the
illegal migration journey.
Finally,
Mr. President, as we have entered the year 2020, we hope that the country will
witness an unprecedented development from all sectors more especially in
addressing youth unemployment of the country among other pertaining issues.
Good
day!
