The dialogue was being held under the theme: “Strengthening Relations among Stakeholders in Promotion and Maintenance of Peace and Security in post presidential and parliamentary elections.”
The nationwide advocacy was aimed at promoting healthy relations, mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and collaboration between the civilian population and the security forces in the maintenance of peace and security especially in the post presidential and parliamentary elections as well as the impeding Local Government Election.
The exercise involved six interface sessions held in the six administrative regions namely, North Bank, Central River, Upper River, Lower River West Coast Regions (WCR) as well as Kanifing Municipality and Banjul.
About 270 participants including security personnel, youth, Community Based Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, journalists, pressure groups and other relevant stakeholders took part in the regional advocacy sessions across the country.
The move comes on the backdrop of the past two hotly contested elections (presidential and parliamentary) as stakeholders prepare ahead of 2023 Local Government Elections.
Ansumana Ceesay, Senior Program Officer at the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), said the engagement would help to build the capacities of stakeholders on peace building, civil military relations, community policing, conflict management and prevention.
SPO Ceesay said an informed citizenry is a crucial component of a healthy and resilient democracy.
He expressed their resolve to continue facilitating engagements and conversations of this nature, especially in this post-election period, to build harmony among all relevant stakeholders.
Dembo Sanneh, Assistant Police Commissioner in his remarks on behalf of Police Commissioner for West Coast Region expressed their willingness to jealously protect the peace and stability of the country, saying they will not allow anybody to create instability in the country. He pointed out that every Gambian should put the country’s interest first.
Haruna Badjie, Regional Social Welfare Officer at the Directorate of Social Welfare in deputizing for the Governor of West Coast Region said peace is the only way and therefore we do not have to compromise it.
Masanneh Jarju in deputizing for West Coast Region Youth Chairperson described peace as the fundamental of everything we need in life, adding that West Coast Region youth are interested in peace and security maintenance within the region and country at large.
