Another opportunity at hand

We have got to know, according to reports, that there is another set of high powered delegation called Mediation Support Team intending to visit The Gambia to talk with the sitting president on the current political standoff lingering in the country.

It has been reported that the foreign affairs minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing his leader President Buhari, and Ghana’s outgoing President John Mahama, who is co-member of the mediation team set up by ECOWAS, will be visiting Banjul to continue talks with the sitting president on the impasse.

This move will be followed by the Nigerian president to find a solution to the political problem hitting hard on the nation.

There are also reported talks on the matter going on through Guinea Conakry involving President Conde and some state officials.

These are good moves, which should yield fruit and pull out our nation from going down the lane of violent conflict.

There has been so much trouble in the world, such as internal strife and external aggressions, that have ended up destroying the growth, development, social fabric and human lives of nations.

We should not opt to go down that lane before we come to terms. Let’s save our nation of that horrible and infamous history by coming to terms peacefully and accepting the will of God.  Not by violent means.

For example, the Senegal-Gambia-Guinea Bissau Women’s Forum has called on parties to resolve the current political crisis by non-violent means.

“The Senegal-Gambia-Guinea Bissau Women’s Forum is urging all parties to exercise full restraint and give priority to dialogue and non-violence to resolve this crisis,” they said.

The women have said all should be mindful of the observance of the law, the Constitution of The Gambia and all treaties, protocols and conventions signed by The Gambia, in respect of the sacred nature of the power and will of the people.

It is interesting to note what the women are calling for. They said: “We welcome all the initiatives and efforts by ECOWAS, the AU and UN towards a peaceful resolution and solemnly call on outgoing President Jammeh, as Pan Africanist, to listen to his people and give priority to discussion, dialogue and consultation as genuine African values constantly observed by our forefathers when faced with similar choices.”

A peaceful negotiation is the best option. Let’s pursue it and see it to the end. There is another opportunity at hand – the Alpha Conde and the Muhammed Buhari Mediation Support Team efforts could bring a solution to this impasse.

Someone has said many an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers.

“Opportunity is often difficult to recognize; we usually expect it to beckon us with beepers and billboardsl .”

William Arthur Ward