By: Haruna Kuyateh
West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP) in collaboration with Peace Network and other stakeholders has wrapped up its two-day advanced capacity building of Insider Mediators on the thematic areas and coordination meetings with local authorities.
The forum was held at the Governor’s Office in Kerewan, North Bank Region, and funded by the EU/UNDP Global Partnership Project on Strengthening Insider Mediation for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding last Thursday.
The advocacy campaign was jointly organized by a project technical team comprising the Ministry of Interior, WANEP, Peace Network, Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS), and Peace Hub – The Gambia, and they have been actively working towards enhancing the mediation capacity of key stakeholders across the country.
Governor Lamin Saidykhan of the North Bank Region lauded WANEP and the Consortium of Peace Network for complementing government efforts in promoting peace-building and conflict resolution.
The Governor encouraged Insider Mediators to be Goodwill Ambassadors of WANEP to operate peace-building and conflict resolution regardless of political differences, ethnic and religious differences while using the moment to assure them of the Governor’s Office’s fullest support in promoting peace, conflict resolution techniques, and others.
Musa K Sise, the Executive Director of Peace Network underscored the importance of the peace-building initiative, noting that it contributed to consolidating sustainable peace and that his organization is committed to partnering with stakeholders to create more public awareness on peace and conflict resolution.
Alagie K Saho Vice Chairman of Kerewan Area Council stated that peace and security are fundamental in promoting the country’s development trajectory, noting that Kerewan Area Council will support the initiative as the move would contribute to the enhancement of community resilience and ownership in peacebuilding.
Yusupha Bojang Chief Civic Education Officer NCCE said training aimed at empowering Identified Insider Mediators with local/traditional and modern conflict prevention and mediation skills. This advanced building program, he noted, will provide participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in negotiation, mediation, reconciliation, conflict management, and conflict transformation.
Haruna Kuyateh, the WANEP Focal Person thanked them for their commitment to bringing sustainable peace through positive conflict resolution. Kuyateh used the moment to call on people to value all-inclusive participation by working with the council of elders and other structures to enhance peace.
The President of Gambia Youth Chambers of Commerce (GYCC), Dr. Malang Bojang, Early Warning NEWS Manager at WANEP, Ngui Secka Chairperson of Inter Party Committee (IPC) Women Wing, and Yaya Fofana of Suwareh Kunda all underscored the importance of the forum.