By Kemo Kanyi
President Adama Barrow has taken over the chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during the just-concluded 15th conference of the intercontinental body held here over the weekend.
The Gambia will be on the leadership role of the OIC for the next three years. Assuming office as the new chairman, Barrow advised unity among member states for any success to be achieved in their cause to sustainable development, conflict resolution, and other endeavors.
Addressing the Islamic summit, which has seen full representation of its member states, the president outlined his awareness of the trouble the Muslim world is currently faced with. He took the opportunity to call for a strong commitment to the goals of the organization.
“We have convened here today with the awareness that the Muslim world faces numerous challenges, ranging from the calamities of terrorism to factional violence and armed conflicts. Amid this unrest, we must reaffirm our commitment to mediation and dialogue as indispensable mechanisms to resolve conflict and foster lasting peace,” he said.
“It is fitting, therefore, that the theme for this 15th Session is ‘Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue and Sustainable Development’. Since the OIC seeks to promote solidarity and unity among Muslims around the world and find solutions to their problems.”
The Gambian leader continues to stress that the summit provides a unique opportunity for Member States to strengthen relations through dialogue, share experiences for deeper mutual understanding, and adopt innovative resolutions that go beyond national borders to foster collective peace and inclusive sustainable development. “A viable route to achieving these objectives lies in sustained cordial relations within an environment of trust and cooperation,” he noted.
“As President of The Republic of The Gambia and Chairman of the OIC for the next three years, we pledge to promote unity, solidarity, and sustainable development within the Islamic world. Our approach will include prioritizing initiatives that enhance economic cooperation, foster cultural exchange, and address pressing issues, such as poverty and access to education and healthcare,” Barrow added.
He assured Gambia’s commitment to leading the cause of peace while reaffirming its leadership’s readiness to the restoration of citizenship rights of the Palestinians.
“In this context, it is essential to address the prolonged conflict in Palestine and the devastating wars in Gaza. Those encounters have caused endless human suffering for over seventy-five (75) years.”
“I call upon Member States to take decisive action to address the root causes of the conflict and work towards a just and lasting solution. This should include convening a Comprehensive Peace Conference for all stakeholders to negotiate a settlement that provides for the rights, dignity, security, and sovereignty of the communities affected.”
“In our view, military action is not an option; rather, we endorse a Peace Accord based on a two-state solution. This proposal is to guarantee both states the right to full sovereignty and self-determination,” Barrow suggested.
He enjoined the leadership of the OIC member states to remind themselves of the good principles of the achievable goals for lasting peaceful coexistence.
“To maintain peace and lasting peaceful co-existence in the entire region, as leaders of the
Islamic world, we must seize this opportunity to chart a new course towards peace and reconciliation,” he affirmed.
Hon. Ambassador Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary General of the OIC, also highlighted that the organization would strive all possibilities for protection of territorial sovereignty of its member states.
“It is crucial to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Member States. We acknowledge the efforts of the member states that have taken the initiative to resolve conflicts by encouraging parties involved to engage in dialogue,” he said. “Our organization strives to prevent conflicts and achieve peaceful settlements, primarily through mediation. We aim to strengthen our capabilities in this field,” he necessitated