All
have spoken to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in The Gambia, since the
result of the December 1 Presidential election was rejected and annulled by the
outgoing president on December 9, and a fresh election demanded.
Organisations
and international institutions like ECOWAS, the AU and the UN, as well as the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, among others, have all pleaded with the
sitting president to see reason and change his stance, by stepping down and
handing over power to the president-elect.
Individuals
from very important walks of life, including religious leaders and statesmen
and women have also added their voice to the call for the president to step
down and hand over the reins of governance peacefully.
Despite
the calls, there has been no visible change of heart to hand over power.
Meanwhile,
we have just two days to the inauguration day of the President-elect, and the
nation is still unclear as to how we are going to arrive at a smooth and
peaceful transfer of power.
A
peaceful transfer of the instruments of governance is really essential in this
matter.
We
are, therefore, still hoping to see a peaceful resolution of the political
logjam in the country, as all have continued to call for peace and cooperation
between the two parties involved in the standoff.
It
is essential to note that the clock is ticking as we get to January 19, when
the president-elect is expected to be inaugurated.
It
would be of immense good to all and sundry if this impasse is solved
peacefully, so that our nation does not get itself entangled in a situation
wherein two people will be clamouring for the seat of power, when one president
has been duly elected. This will create serious confusion and conflict in the
country.
On
or after the 19th of January, The Gambia will definitely have one leader to
lead this country, but we do not want that to be arrived at through violent
means.
The
Gambia is a developing country with comparatively very small population. So we
would not want our infrastructural development destroyed and human lives
perished before we can arrive at any peaceful resolution of the matter.
We
are today a nation in fear and uncertainty of what the future holds in store
for us, especially as we approach January 19.
This
climate of uncertainty is serving as a direct attack on the national economy,
and further exacerbating the economic hardship in the country and, as we
approach January 19, this condition continues to get worse.
We
should, therefore, do all it takes to save our nation from plunging into
violent conflict, even as our country is today in the spotlight for all the
wrong reasons: political dispute, disagreement over election results, refusal
to step down from power after a democratic poll result, and fear of war as
people run away from the city to the suburbs and neighbouring countries.
It
is just about 48 hours to January 19 - hence there is still some glimmer of
time to make a decision for a peaceful resolution of the matter, to avoid
confrontation and clash in seeking the seat of power.
“Yesterday
is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
Mother
Teresa
