By Mustapha Jarju
The National Youth Council (NYC) has embarked on a two-day national dialogue on peaceful campaign and elections that aimed to enhance mutual understanding and tolerance between political parties during the electoral cycle.
Speaking during the dialogue held at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre, The Minister for Youth and Sports, Honorable Bakary Y Badjie described the dialogue as timely saying it comes at a time when the political campaign is in high gear ahead of the December 4 presidential poll.
Before this dialogue, he said “there were regional intergenerational dialogues to raise awareness and engage young people representatives of different political parties on the importance of peace and tolerance. Those dialogues and this one are important events due to several reasons, including the fact that it gives people of different backgrounds the opportunity to interface, share ideas and learn from each other. Additionally, dialogue is the best to address whatever difference people might have at community or national level.”
He informed the gathering not to treat anyone with cruelty and that much harshly, and that they must fight others but through peace and through dialogue and education. He therefore implored youths to use their positions and influence to encourage people to dialogue, to educate each other and maintain the peace, especially when they disagree or anticipate conflict.
He noted that election is an important mechanism in democratic and peace processes that with a purpose of providing citizens with an opportunity to choose freely their political leaders and allocate power peacefully
Also, speaking at platform was the chairperson of the NYC saying the dialogue is meant to enhance mutual understanding and tolerance between political parties during the electoral cycle, enhance the capacity of the Youth Branch, Inter-Party Committee on their role for a peaceful election.
More so to encourage tolerance and peaceful Coexistence among youth wing of political parties and enlighten the youth on the role of peace building and effective participation in the electoral process towards national development.
He therefore urged all participants to rise as a youth of The Gambia and devote their strength, influence and power to support the campaign for peace building and take the advantage of the event to learn and later share the knowledge gathered with their colleagues who did not have the opportunity to be part of the forum.
“Let’s maintain peace, peace is the way forward for development and in the absence of peace, nothing is possible,” he said.