By Lamin Kujabi
National Dialogues provide an inclusive, broad, and participatory official negotiation format, which can resolve political crises and lead countries into political transitions. They are convened to address issues of national concern. National Dialogues therefore have mandates that include political reforms, constitution-making and peacebuilding.
It was in tandem with this spirit that His Excellency President Adama Barrow, on Monday, 12th February 2024, invited to State House leaders of the 19 registered political parties in the country, to the first-ever National Dialogue forum. The initiative is part of activities marking Gambia’s 59th Independence anniversary celebration.
During the meeting, all the political party leaders or representatives had the opportunity to express their views and opinions concerning national challenges and how to address them, in the spirit of peace and co-existence.
On the theme: Our Collective Responsibility Preserving Nation, Safeguarding The State and Securing Our Resources,’ the National Dialogue was attended by Ministers, Secretary General and Head of Civil Servants, Secretary to Cabinet, Service Chiefs, Senior Government Officials, Civil Society Organisations and cross-section of the public.
Mr Borry Kolley, who represented the APRC Party, spoke on behalf of Honorable FabakaryTombong Jatta, party leader of APRC Coalition. He expressed appreciation to the President for organising such dialogue between the government and political party leaders in the country.
He said Gambia has been blessed with peace and stability and values of co-existence since Independence. He called on all political party leaders both within and abroad to maintain peace and stability in the country.
Mr Kebba Jallow, leader of PPP said that the meeting is long overdue. It posited that it is our collective responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the country.
He pointed out the high cost of food items and prevalence theft. He also urged the President and the government to work towards solving the political crisis in Senegal ‘‘because these two countries are neighbors’’.
For Honorable Hamat NK Bah, leader of NRP party, good management of state resources should be the fundamental pillar of the government. “The educational system needs to be looked into and we should work to have a proper education system that can earn our youth self-employment”. He however called on Gambians to go back to farming “so that we can eat what we grow in the country and stop relying on food that are being imported into the country’’.
Honorable Mama Kandeh, leader of GDC described the national dialogue as a dream come true because he has been calling for such a meeting to be held for a long time.
He said: ‘‘This is The Gambia and this is what Gambians want to see in their country. I am proud of you, Mr. President,for the good work you have done. Gambia needs to set example in Africa for others to follow’’.
Honourable Henry Gomez also affirmed the high cost of food items, as well as killings. He urged the President not to be too lenient.
Mr. Jack, Representative of Gambia Citizen Alliance, called on the Government to come up with new constitution and electoral laws so that political parties can know how to finance their parties. “The political party leaders need to sensitise their supporters to stop inciting violence,” he added.
Bakary Darboe, leader of GFA party, said that the effective and efficient good management of resources should be key in government.
Alhage Bayo of GAP party recommends that the IEC regularizes political parties to stop hate speeches and insults.
Honourable Mai Ahamed Fatty, leader of GMC, went down memory lane, saying The Gambia was called improbable nation at the time of independence but now, the country has one major problem, and that is leadership problem. He noted that the leadership problem has been there since at the time of independence. He thanked the President for organizing this forum.
Honorable Halifa Sallah, leader of PDOIS noted that the government’s, as well as opposition’s aim, is to serve people. ‘‘We need to work to improve the life expectancy in the country. There is a need for the country to have a data record of the number of deaths that happen,’’ he stated.
Ebrima Tabora Manneh, leader of PAP, said that Gambia is a small country and that ‘‘we should be able to develop this country fast. However he pointed out corruption and unemployment as critical areas to tackle.
Alhage Darboe, representative of the UDP party thanked the President for initiating this forum and said that the consultation should be implemented across the country. He also mentioned corruption as a challenge and pointed out the need to attain food self-sufficiency.
Madam Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, former Vice President said that she does not belong to any party. She called on the President to implement 2016 reform agenda, security service reform, civil service reform and salaries restructure. She thanked the President for this wonderful initiative
