Security is key for sustainable development

The country is hosting a major international military conference of the US Africa Command called the African Endeavour.

We were reliably informed that over 40 countries are presently attending the conference in the Smiling Coast of Africa.

We believe that, at the end of the day, the primary objective of the conference, which is to help increase the command, control and communications   capacities of the African nations by encouraginginteroperabletactics,training and procedures and systemsstandardssupporting coalitioninteroperability  will be achieved.

In our view, the role of the security is paramount in bringing peace and stability to any nation.

The military help protect the sovereign nation's territorial integrity against external aggression, among others.

To us, therefore, hosting such a high-level meeting in Banjul is a source of great national pride.

It all boils down to the fact that The Gambia, though a small country, is a great nation, and a force to be reckoned with.

Forums like this conference are crucial, especially at a time when Africa is faced with a series of human caused disasters and natural catastrophes.

To developcommand, control and communication tactics, techniques and procedures to support the African Unionin support of humanitarian assistance, disaster  relief and peacekeeping missions is pivotal.

We would also like to commend the organizers for choosing The Gambia to host this high-level meeting. 

We must also use this opportunity to commend the officers of the armed and security services of The Gambia for safeguarding our sovereignty.

Their role in peacekeeping mission across Africa, and other parts of the world, which earned them respect is also a source of national pride for all Gambians.

Once more, we must emphasis that the maintenance of peace and stability in the country is the responsibility of all and sundry.