By: Haruna Kuyateh
Action Aid International The Gambia in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peace Building WANEP under Civil Society Organisations Coalition with the Electoral Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation Project of WANEP with funding from EUROPEAN UNION recently ended a weeklong caravan tour across the country on promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens pre and post elections.
The nationwide caravan on conflict and violence prevention and peace building initiatives targeted all regions in The Gambia.
Speaking to The Voice newspaper, Foday Kanyi, Project Manager Action Aid International The Gambia underscored the important roles of Civil Society Organisations on Election in complementing efforts of government to democracy through popular participation.
The objective of the project is to contribute to a secure and peaceful environment and the necessary human security preconditions that support sustained socio-economic development and improvement of living standards. He called for concerted efforts of all in maintaining and sustaining peace and stability, irrespective of their affiliation to enhance national unity.
The concept of Action Aid International The Gambia partnering with WANEP under the project titled: Election violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation (EMAM) for the upcoming election cycle in The Gambia.
Based on WANEP’s news report (2021), there are incidences recorded with implications for peaceful electioneering process. These include election-related physical violence and destruction of property with injuries, verbal and moral violence incident of abuse of citizens’ rights by security forces and incitements on social media were also reported.
Mr Kanyi lauded West Africa Network for Peace Building WANEP and European Union for their invaluable support in the formulation of comprehensive and WANEP has developed a database called the ‘GAMBIAELECTS’ which collates information and provides critical analysis of election threats and trends. The indicators were developed for monitoring, analysing, and reporting potential threats before, during and after election by key stakeholders using the ‘Gambiaelects system.’ These indicators are categorized into four thematic areas of ‘Physical Violence and Destruction of Properties,’ ‘Verbal or moral violence,’ ‘Conformity to the Rules and the Principles of Good Governance,’ and ‘Other Irregularities’’.
The Conflict and Development Analysis report (2019) has also identified Accountability and Political Leadership in Transition, Social Cohesion, Social Behavior, the role of Civil Society and Gambia’s Young Population among the drivers of conflict in The Gambia while Civil Society Organizations, Religious and Traditional Leaders and the Media Sector has also been identified among the drivers of peace in The Gambia.
The main objective of the project is to contribute to a secure and peaceful environment and the necessary human security preconditions that support sustained socio-economic development and improvement of living standards in the Gambia, and Specific objective(s): To build critical consciousness of the electorates on the peaceful coexistence during pre- and post- elections
Saidy Jabai alkalo of Sutukoba thanked the team for the foresight and noted it would contribute to consolidate peace and stability. Nafa Jabai Youths Representative at Basse Area Council described peace as fundamental and called on youths to be law abiding and respect rule of law. While Mama Jabai Lady President Sutukoba Women Group called on Women and youth to maintain peace and said the caravan tour would help families to mend their differences.
Chief Alpha Mariam Khan of Jokadou and Chief Yahya Jarjusey of Jarra West thanked ActionAid International and partners for the foresight and call on people to put away their political differences. District chiefs launched call for strengthen of WANEP Focal Point to roll out more community engagement on conflict and violence prevention and strengthen peace building initiatives at all levels.
West Africa Network for Peace Building WANEP Regional Focal Person, Haruna Kuyateh of NBR, Buwah Kinteh of Lower River Region, Musa Sanneh of Upper River Region and Sulayman Touray of West Coast Region described the important of caravan tour, noting that it would contribute immensely in consolidating peaceful coexistence and political tolerance.
Tijan Bah WANEP representative described the caravan tour as timely and important, noting creating public awareness on post-election is crucial in promoting peaceful, security and stability. He called on all to be vigilant and jealously guide peace and desist from spreading fake news.
Korin Sanyang women leader of Kwinella called for political tolerance and understanding of politics among women. She assured that the program would support in consolidating democracy through dialogues. Giddon Sabally Secretary to Wellingara Ba Village Development Committee VDC called on youths to support peace building initiatives to enhance reconciliation and national development.