Embracing peace means solving our differences through dialogue, education and through human eyes.
It is true that the world faces many challenges from ongoing wars, rising conflicts, climate crises and the list goes on-and-on.
The recent development along the Southern Senegalese-Gambian border is not only a concern, but one that requires urgent intervention.
For decades, communities along the Gambian and even in the southern Senegalese region have lived in fear and caution, due to constant fighting between the Senegalese Military and the MFDC separatist rebels.
However, the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has reassured citizens along the border lines of peace and stability, despite the recent development.
According to GAF spokesman, they are maintaining close coordination with Senegalese counterparts while keeping strategic deployments firmly in place.
What makes this issue a matter of urgency is in view of the fact many communities are living on the edge or so close to the borderline. This makes it a matter of concern for countries to pursue dialogue amicably in resolving the issue.
It is natural that as humans we are bound to have individual differences, but that exercising maturity is sacrosanct.
In any difficult circumstance, brokering dialogue is sacrosanct in finding common ground.
It is regrettable that countless numbers of people have lost lives since the start of this decades long conflict, with many others living with trauma and desperation.
We appeal to both sides to give peace a chance.
To this end we encourage communities to always advocate peace, unity and peacebuilding initiatives.
We must commend all stakeholders both locally and internationally, especially the International Red Cross Society and other partners, who have been instrumental in supporting those fleeing the decades-long conflict.
It is time people reason that conflict is not the solution in this day and age. The latter only lead to mayhem, destruction, displacement, under-development and backwardness.