By: Sulayman Waan
Ousman Ceesay, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of Interior has said that the Gambia Government is committed to support the National Youth Council (NYC) for the realization of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2250 and 2419.
Mr. Ceesay remarked during the opening of a day-long capacity building workshop for youth leaders and regional authorizes on UNSCR 2250 and 2419 organized by NYC; held on Sunday September 15 at Soma Town, Lower River Region (LRR).
“The National Youth Council is championing the drive in propagation of peace, tolerance and social cohesion. NYC continues taking leadership and ownership of the UNSCR 2250 on youth, peace security and local levels,” he said.
On 9 December 2015, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted the Resolution 2250 which recognizes the importance and positive role of young people in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.
As a follow-up to this, on 6 June 2018, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2419 calling for increased Role of Youth in Negotiating and Implementing Peace Agreements, and for member states to take measures to remove the causes and prevent the radicalization of young people and invest in the youth.
However, Mr. Ceesay recalled that in 2018, in partnership with United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) the Gambia’s youth council carried out series of youth consultations in a form of focus group discussion, ‘Young men and women contribution to peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel’
He further said in this effort NYC and its partner produced a national youth report on the Resolution 2250 and 2419 as well as translated the resolutions’ content into three main local languages includes Mandinka, Fula and Wollof.
The security bureaucrat added that these activities didn’t only signify youth’s commitment to coordinate youth engagement and building strong institutions but also rippling their potential as agent of positive change.
“This has been manifested during election period when young people with the coordination of NYC, go on a caravans and roads sensitization reaching the heart of communities to preach the message of peace and non violence,” he noted.
This year through the UN Peace Building Fund (PBF) NYC and its registered National Youth Organizations are working with UN Agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP and IOM) to promote the participation of youth and children in the maintenance of sustainable peace and reconciliation, he stated.
According to him, in line with United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2017-2021 also the National Development Plan 2018-2021 NYC have organized many capacity building activities on different topics.
He added that the youth council is engage in key reforms process such as the current consultation of the constitutional reform.
Meanwhile Ceesay puts strong emphasis on the opinion and aspirations of youth on how their rights should be safeguard in the imminent constitution.
