By: Sulayman Waan
Nfamara Jawneh, executive director of Bekanyang has called on Gambians to be tolerance to ensure nonviolent environment in the country.
“We have seen conflict erupted in many parts of the world because people are not tolerant to one another. Therefore, my message is, as Gambians we should make the best use of our diversity, irrespective of our tribes or social positions in the society,” Mr. Jawneh said during a sensitization of students and teachers on peace education which was organised by Family Gambia Peace Education Foundation at Latriya Lower Basic School.
The renowned human right activist emphasized that when the people of this country considered themselves as one people from different tribes then there will be meaningful development in the Gambia.
He further added that as long as Gambians know the issues undermining peace in the country; therefore, they must bring mechanisms to address those issues; if not there will be a problem in the society in one way or the other.
“In the past, people were not tolerant to one another; therefore, owing to our political difference, some were living in the same family and ate together but they didn’t have peaceful mind about each other because there were no peace and love among them,” he said.
He stated that Gambian religious leaders are always praying for peace in the country but the actions that the public demonstrate on daily basis cannot bring peace in the country while arguing that as long as the religious leaders are praying for peace it is the duty of the public to observe the good morals and rights to ensure peace in the society.
“Unfortunately, you [Gambians] pray for peace and do the opposite; therefore, peace cannot be obtained in the society,” he noted.
The human rights activist reminded the masses that all Gambians are equal before the law. He says for peace to exist there must be law and order in the society, adding that “as long as all people are equal before the law then the country’s system of justice must be transparent among citizens and none citizens alike.”
As resident of this country, our live hope is the justice system but if one goes to the justice system he or she doesn’t have hope in it and he or she feels that there is no justice in the country. Therefore, there cannot be peace in our society anymore,” he argued.
He noted that if there is no justice in this country, people will end of putting justice in their own hands, adding that the moment such happened; peace will not exist in the country.
“This had happened in many part of the country,” he said.
Mr. Jawneh also noted that there are many factors of breaching peace in the nation. He cited an issue where students bulling teachers based on the abolition of corporal punishment in the schools, social injustice of national resources, injustice of responsibilities among boys and girls at family level. He then called on equality, tolerance and justice among the general public.