Analysis : Ambassador Essa Bokarr Sey’s take on National Dialogue

What is in the moral stimulus and the material stimulus is the scale to weigh what is of personal interest versus national interest where patriotism is either understood or "hijacked" by blinded desires. We must always be very careful of being blinded by desires where national duty and interest are at the epicenter during any duty.  On February 16th, 2024 I was invited by Office of President through the head of the press department sister Aminata Sisoho as a guest. On  the high table was the  President of The Republic Mr Adama Barrow, Chief Justice Hassan B Jallow and the speaker of the House Fabakary Tombong Jatta. Other dignitaries and panelists, by extension people from all walks of life were in attendance. Speeches were indeed delivered. Words for sure can either be cords to tether tensions or swords to grant the wishes of tensions. What I heard fits the former  more than the latter. My attention was indeed undivided as I remained seated listening to every speaker likewise, questions or comments from the audience. My mind was filtering what was being  said and what was being brewed within the  unsaid. Even dead air can be decoded where speeches are used to amplify thought and feelings. It is one of those spheres where associating existing variables must remain in the laboratory of analysis.  Further down the line I was able to   test the pulse of society while reflecting on what I heard at the plenary, along the corridors and or "side talks" that was all meant to engage one another for consensus to remain the solid base. Our nation like any other nation must not allow its soul to be feeding on pollutants, hard feelings, acute differences that are usually nourished by indifference or remaining passive as a spectator while things keep on degenerating. If those who should talk, guide or serve as arbiters between responsibility and irresponsibility abdicate their duties, nation can gradually slide into that bottomless pit of woes and misery.  We should come together and avoid derialing this nation towards the worst! Indeed dialogue leading to consensus is the best laundry mart where speeches, deeds and feelings can be cleansed to allow us wear what is clean and breathe the fresh air of togetherness. Where that fails means collectively we have failed our nation by being so irresponsible. We can refuse that by continuing to walk side by side national interest and national duty, at the same time talking and working. In all honesty what we should yearn for is to continue feeding our nation's soul with production not destruction. 

Let's continue  running the relay race of dialogue together with zeal and will by coming back to the key or essence of these analysis. At this juncture, the key can form an alloy by merging what is in material stimulus and moral stimulus to help us ignite the engine of reflections. Are we here to speak truth to power or speak truth to mindset and psyche? As minds and hearts are the workshops we cannot speak truth to one side. Collective development when merged with zeal and will would shrink individual development. Patriotism is on the other hand the twin of sacrifice.  We do also hear  a lot about the diaspora which when referenced, makes me reflect on when Marcus Ma Zion Garvey and other fighters used the same noun during the days black emancipation rose and roared like a tsunami. At that time black Africans were urged by the post slavery and post colonial fever to search for medicine  thus cure ourselves from two diseases.  Which are: 1- Cultural imperialism and Identity crisis. Along the contours of time we have arrived at this stage where Africans are compelled by circumstances that are no longer beyond control to talk peace, eat peace, drink peace, sleep in peace, dream in peace, think in peace, feel in peace, live in peace before resting in peace and then. Once the latter is achieved means we are ready to welcome production and shun destruction. Production cannot be in the ABSENCE OF PEACE!

Remaining conscious of existing dynamics and variables is what I would qualify as awareness. Africa must remain cognizant of the fact that where we are expected to retain half of the world population within the immediate future, means we must be ready to race against time thus arrive with convincing results and achievements. Latter would then be a good springboard for advancement. What next? Our aim should then be to occupy our rightful place within WTO, WHO, UN, UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF as designers of projects but not a lot waiting for handouts. That comparison I saw on the screen at the plenary of SDKJICC between the past and the present taking Korea as an example would then be useful. If not the comparison would only be clear demotivation ushered by despair. What I understand from that comparison is that we are or were being taught to leave the past and embrace the present with development! How can that be in the absence of consensus?  Scholars and talkers ranging from the general to the specific have been underpinning the need for the UN Security  Council to adjust and readjust by extension the UN General Assembly  to collectively urge all stakeholders to work hard and position Africa  within the midst of UNSEC Council as a 6th permanent member isn't it? Some of us have been writing on this for ages. Africa cannot continue being the holder 1.4 billion yet wallowing in lost illusions as far as respect,  recognition and participation. Fairness isn't the word to use when repelling these condescending ways from a hegemony per se. The word to use is partnership. Africa is a force to be reckoned and is one of the world's strongest and oldest potential partners for every genuine reason.  Had wishes been horses I would have ridden mine gallop to 2nd avenue in New York, enter the hall  of the UNGA and tell them add Africa on the UN Security Council this coming September. Our horses are now real horses not wishes so Africa will occupy its seat there InShaa Allah or like BREXIT some nations may soon start working towards leaving the UN. Consume what the dialogue inspired me to write and pray for us children of AFRICA to rise. We are compelled to unite against all odds as it pleases Allah.”