A two-day
workshop dubbed ‘Strengthening local capacities in the field of conflict
prevention and peace building in the border areas of southern Senegambia’ has
just been concluded in Banjul.
The workshop was part of the implementation of a project on strengthening local capacities in conflict prevention and peace building.
The project was initiated by a Dakar-based NGO called Enda Prospective Dialogues Politiques (Enda Diapol), with the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency and the NGO Afrique Enjeux.
The Southern Senegal and Gambia cross-border meeting, which lasted from 28-29 August 2013, was held at the Baobab Holiday Resort.
The meeting attracted forty participants from the trans-boundary local organization OLZAT, whose aim is to build the capacity of its members in conflict prevention and peace building in the sub-region.
According to Boubacarr Kanteh, head of the delegation, the forum was first of its kind they had organised.
He said its objective was to equip and enhance the knowledge of the members of the Trans-Boundary Local Organization (OLZT) living in cross-border areas of the southern Senegambia on issues relating to instrument and techniques of conflict resolution.
For his part, Lamin Sanneh, Governor of West Coast Region, who also deputised for the minister of Lands and Local Governments, hailed the two sister countries for organizing such a positive meeting for local organizations meant to strengthen capacity between the two regions.
The two sister countries have been living in harmony since time immemorial, he noted, saying coming up with such an initiative will greatly help members of the organisations to have more understanding among themselves.
Conflict or fighting, he noted, is not a solution to any problem but dialogue through suggestions and recommendations adhered to.
He then used the opportunity to thank organizers of the forum in The Gambia and expressed appreciation with The Gambia hosting the event.
