“As leaders and public opinion influencers, we have a big stake in the nation; thus, we also have the huge responsibility of striving to maintain peace and stability. Huge as it may be, we can achieve this by consciously avoiding and defusing political or social tension through our public engagements with the people, within both the public and private space we occupy quite frequently,” he said yesterday at a national political dialogue he organised at State House.
“You may have realised that I have continually call upon my colleagues and fellow Gambians to come together and work in the best interest of the country we dearly love. It is every citizen’s responsibility to contribute towards our overall security, peace and stability, be it in an official or private capacity, as public servants or bonafide citizens.”
“My government holds the view that we should always try to forge national consensus on national issues that generate divergent views. Such divergence must not result in enmity or disunity. Instead, it should be tapped into as a source of strength for us to tolerate, appreciate, and empathise with one another. In this way, all citizens would have the opportunity to contribute to sustaining peace and stability nationwide,” the President said.
“Moving forward, I call on all citizens, who can do so, to actively participate in the upcoming national dialogue, with a view to reinforcing the social cohesion and tolerance that exist in our society.”
The thematic discussions, he went on, are proposed to cover the political environment, religious tolerance, ethnic diversity, sovereign security, safeguarding the media and democratic space, irregular migration, and empowerment of our youth.
“We live in a world of uncertainty, instability, and insecurity. So, we must act collectively and resolutely ahead of any potential unrest or calamity. We are blessed in The Gambia with positive social norms and values that can always bring us together and help us to preserve our warmth and brand as the Smiling Coast of Africa.”
Considering the important thematic areas identified for discussion ahead of the Public Forum for National Dialogue, Barrow said, “I must emphasise that it is our collective responsibility to preserve the nation as a people or fall together, safeguard the State or face instability, and secure our resources or live with a weak economy.”
Hamat Bah, the leader of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), underscored the significance of the convergence, saying: “This kind of forum will go a long way in nurturing the peace and stability that the country is known for. As political and party leaders, we must always promote peace and stability in the country.”
Hamat Bah, who is also the country’s Minister of Tourism added: “We must also discuss issues that threaten our peace which of course include management of our resources and land among others. We should also discuss religious tolerance. The religious tolerance we have in the country must be maintained. We can’t allow people to be preaching and insulting people,” he postulated, claiming that security and peace are key towards a nation's development.
Mamma Kandeh, the leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) thanked President Barrow for organising the dialogue, saying: “This is long overdue. We should have had such a forum earlier on. This is the Gambia that we want to see so that our future leaders will emulate us in fostering peace and stability. When it is for the issue of national development, everyone should have a quota to contribute. There is no hatred and war between us. Gambia needs to set an example in Africa in terms of adhering to the principle of democracy,” he posited
The National Assembly Member for Brikama North, (Alhagie S. Darboe, who represented the United Democratic Party (UDP), said: “It’s important for politicians and religious leaders and even the citizens to participate in maintaining the country’s peace and stability. Therefore, such a kind of convergence shouldn’t only be done within the Greater Banjul Area but the country at large.”
The UDP top executive member also spoke on the Land Commission, saying: “I don’t know whether the commission is functioning or not, but if it is functioning, it is not doing its work as expected. Therefore, we must have a functioning commission if we want to do away with conflict in our country and community. It is also important that the government ensure that there is food self-sufficiency in the country, as if people are hungry they will be angry.”
Darboe also urged the government to ensure that an Anti-corruption Commission is in place. “There should also be political will from the government in fighting corruption,” he said, while calling on President Barrow to be measured in his political utterance towards the UDP leader whom he Barrow termed as “father”.
Halifa Sallah of PDOIS called on political leaders to put partisan aside and look at the nation first, adding that national stability is key in the development of the country.
