By: Haruna Kuyateh
Future in Our Hand the Gambia (FIOHTG) with support from US Embassy through International Republican Institute organized four days forum on a project dubbed promoting political tolerance and pluralism through unity festival for community cohesion.
The unity festival is to promote political tolerance and pluralism for community cohesion and it attracted youths, political parties’ representatives, Alkalolu (chiefs) from ten communities, women, teachers, agriculturists and football teams in the intervention areas of FIOHTG in North Bank Region.
The four day messages included; accept each other political affiliation, democracy is about diversity, election come and go, but communities remain and preach peace and be happy among others.
North Bank Region governor, Ebrima KS Dampha commended the effort of Future in Our Hand The Gambia and International Republican Institute for the foresight in creating public awareness on political tolerance and pluralism through organizing unity festival for community cohesion.
He said convergence contribute in strengthening peace and security and by also respect for rule of law and the constitution.
Governor Dampha reiterated that it help people to accommodate one and other irrespective of political differences in the spirit of unity and cooperation, adding that government is committed in promoting all inclusive participation in the socio economic advancement and consolidating democracy and respect for human rights.
Babucar Camara Senior Program Officer Future in Our Hand noted that the agency attached great importance in strengthening social cohesion by bringing about sustainable peace, stability and development.
He commended US Embassy through International Republican Institute (IRI) for their invaluable support to FIOHTG in promoting political tolerance and pluralism through unity festival, describing it as key in building and strengthening democracy and good governance.
He also described the turnout of communities and authorities as a testimony of their commitment of embracing political tolerance , as all hand need to be deck as the country is on a cross road to consolidate democracy and human rights and by extension to create awareness to enhance socio economic development.
Siyate Gaye of International Republican Institute expressed delight in partnering with FIOHTG in working with grassroots and various political parties in promoting peaceful coexistence and fostering family relationships. He assured of IRI fullest support in human rights and good governance.
Madam Ngui Secka Chairwoman of Regional Inter Party Committee (IPC) NBR urged political party leaders to uphold to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by all political parties on 27th March 2016, for building political peace among people’s to improve democracy and human rights.
She also urged political parties and their supporters to refrain from politics violence and insults to enhance community social cohesion.
According to her, politic doesn’t call for supporters to cut political leaders photos in the interest of democracy, saying that it can trigger violence and affect political tolerance, while she calls women to be vigilant in promoting political peace and tolerance and desist from violence and insults and also respect the leadership
Chief Momodou Chatty Cham of Upper Nuimi noted that four days meeting contributed immensely in strengthening more understanding on political tolerance through dialogue, as he vowed that district authorities would work on consolidate existing peace and security.
Yankuba Manneh, Fund Raising Manager of FIOHTG said working with Inter Party Committee at regional level help to intensified public awareness and ensure people respect rule of law and accept one another.
He said festival night and football matches aim to use culture and sport as a tools of bringing peoples from different diverse background of promoting social harmony and peace.
Amadou Bah a youth from Kaba Koto said there is need for more investment on youth’s development and empowerment to attain meaningful development. He urged youths to be law abiding and respect the constitution. The theme Unity Festival is important as unity is strength and call on peoples to embrace one and other for national development.
Ousman Busso, alkalo (Chief) of Kaba Koto said the intervention of FIOHTG has contributed immensely to create public awareness on wide range of issue and noted that political tolerance is fundamental in any society.
