The country’s top officials have been urged by President Adama Barrow to communicate with the people in order to alleviate social and political tensions.
Because of our positions of power and influence over public opinion, we have a vested interest in the country’s well-being and must shoulder the enormous burden of working to keep the peace. Huge as it is, he said yesterday at a national political dialogue he organized at State House that we can accomplish this by intentionally avoiding and defusing social or political tension through our public engagements with the people, in both the public and private spaces we often occupy.
As you may have noticed, I have been pleading with my fellow Gambians and colleagues on a constant basis to unite and do what is right for the country we hold in such high regard. From public personnel to private people, it is everyone’s duty to do what they can to help keep the peace and ensure the safety of our nation.
We should always strive to establish national agreement on national problems that create conflicting viewpoints, according to my government. Such differences must not lead to animosity or fragmentation. On the contrary, we should draw power from it so that we may understand, respect, and sympathise with one another. The president stated that this would allow every person a chance to help keep the peace on a national level.
In order to strengthen the social cohesiveness and tolerance in our society, I urge all citizens who are able to do so to take part in the forthcoming national conversation.
He continued by saying that topics for the thematic talks include the current political climate, religious tolerance, ethnic diversity, sovereignty security, protecting democratic space and the media, irregular migration, and youth empowerment.
Uncertainty, instability, and insecurity are constant companions in this life. Thus, in the face of any possible upheaval or disaster, we must act united and determinedly. The Gambians have wonderful social standards and values that unite us and ensure that we continue to be known as the Smiling Coast of Africa.
“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,” Barrow said, addressing the key thematic areas set to be discussed at the Public Forum for National Dialogue.
“This kind of forum will go a long way in nurturing the peace and stability that the country is known for,” Hamat Bah, leader of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), said, emphasizing the importance of the convergence. Peace and stability must always be prioritized by us as political and party leaders.
“We must also address matters that threaten our peace, which of course include management of our resources and land among others,” said Hamat Bah, the country’s former minister of tourism. We need to talk about religious tolerance as well. Our nation’s religious tolerance must be preserved. His theory was that a nation’s progress depends on its ability to maintain peace and security, and that it can’t stand for its citizens to be insulted and preached to.
“This is long overdue,” Mamma Kandeh, leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), remarked in her gratitude to President Barrow for arranging the dialogue. Such a forum ought to have been held sooner. Inspiring our successors to continue our work toward a peaceful and stable Gambia is our top priority. Everyone ought to be able to put their two cents in when it comes to matters of national growth. War and animosity do not exist between us. He argued that The Gambia should be a democratic model for the rest of Africa.
Political and religious leaders, as well as ordinary individuals, must all do their share to keep the peace and stability of our nation, according to Alhagie S. Darboe, a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the National Assembly Member for Brikama North. Consequently, this type of convergence ought to take place all across the nation, not just in the Greater Banjul Area.
“I don’t know whether the commission is functioning or not, but if it is functioning, it is not doing its work as expected,” the UDP top executive member said regarding the Land Commission. Consequently, if we wish to eradicate conflict in our nation and community, we need a commission that is operational. Because people will be furious if they are hungry, it is critical that the government make sure the nation can provide its own food.
Additionally, Darboe emphasized the need of the government establishing an Anti-Corruption Commission. While urging President Barrow to exercise restraint in his political statements towards the UDP leader, whom Barrow referred to as “father,” he reiterated that the government should demonstrate political resolve to combat corruption.
The PDOIS’s Halifa Sallah urged political leaders to set party differences aside and prioritize the country, noting that a stable nation is essential for any country’s progress.