By: Adama Makasuba
The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) in partnership with Economic Community of West African States has started on Saturday started a nationwide dialogue tour on democratic governance, tolerance and reconciliation.
The tour which began on 14th of September is expected to end on 17th October with the aim to consolidating democratic governance and peaceful coexistence. At least 48 communities are expected to be visited by the team.
Speaking to journalists in Ballangar, lower Saloum, Yusupha Bojang, program manager for National Council for Civic Education said said there is a misconception of what democracy is among the people in the country, adding that “some people think democracy means lawlessness and do whatever they want to do.”
“We have realized it is going to be challenging to established a democracy and also to sustain it, and as we are currently experiencing in the country now. There are lots of divisions, and there is lots of fracas. There are lots of tensions happening in the country as a result of politics,” he said.
Mr Bojang described the tour as crucial to enlighten and dialogue with the nation about democracy and rule of to further promote peace and coexistence in the country.
Meanwhile, during a public dialogue in Ballangar, chief of lower Saloum, Alhagie Ali Touray said: “there is no politics in this; they are doing this for the nation.
He urged people to respect the law and democracy and rule of law saying “let people desist from abusing the law.”
Fanta Touray, ward councilor described the dialogue as important while urging the people of her and the nation to attend the dialogue. She said: “civic education helps people to know about their national rights and promote peace.”
Modou Touray also a native said democracy came to guide people on rule of law while denounced people in power to abuse power on the less privilege people
Coming from two decades of dictatorial rule which had been characterized by lot of issues like good governance we have lot of abuses in different aspects regarding human rights.