By Kebba A.F Touray
The government convened a day’s consultative meeting on Monday 10 April at the Foni Karanai settlement of Sibanor to “restore peace and stability” among the community to live in peace. This meeting was initiated by theministry of the interior in collaboration with the ministry of lands and regional government and follows clashes between APRC and UDP supporters.
The occasion was attended by the ministers of the Interior and lands and regional government, chiefs, alkalos, women leaders, youth activists and political stakeholders, all of whom were inspired by the desire to remedy the April 7, 2017 incident which led to clash of the two major political parties leading to the arrests of some people.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting Mr Ebrima Mballow who also chaired the meeting indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to exchange views so as to reconcile and promote peace and stability in Foni Sibanor.
For his part the chief of Sibanor Alfusainey Jarjue urged the community of Foni Sibanor to accept the change that occurred and put hands on deck to develop our country. He called on supporters to forget the past and look for the way forward.
Junkung Camara the chief of Foni Brefet implored the community of Foni Bintang to be patient.
Momodou Lamin Camara, the representative of the supreme Islamic council urged the communities of Foni Bintang Karanai to maintain peace and stability and avoid violence because it always has an adverse effect in its wake.
The newly elected national assembly member, Momodou Camara and Arafang Jorbarteh, UDP candidate all expressed their desire to put aside all their differences, reconcile to restore peace and stability in Foni Bintang. The duo has also vowed to put all hands on deck for the development of The Gambia in general and Foni KBintang in particular.
Hon Abdoulie Bojang the speaker of the national assembly also registered his grief and tasked the youth to reconcile and promote peace and tranquility and challenged them to do everything humanly possible to avert the reoccurrence of such ugly scenario.
Mr Momodou Dibba, the minister of lands and regional government spoke against tribalism and tribal politics.
Speaking to the press shortly after the meeting the minister of the interior, Mr Mai Ahmed Fatty noted that from their evaluation they have come to the conclusion that “post-election disturbance in Foni Bintang required the intervention of law enforcement but not only the security approach. Equally we want to engage the community on the need to maintain peace and stability.” He added that it warrants reconciliation and the re-establishment of the fraternal and family ties amongst the people of the Constituency “so that they see themselves as one people with a common destiny and that politics should not be a source of division for the community.” He further said, “We have sent law enforcement agency here to quell the disturbance, to protect life and property and to restore order” He indicated that the two ministries will work together in order to reconcile the communities.
In conclusion he promised that the security shall remain there to ensure stability.
Minister of Lands and Regional Government (left) and Minister of the Interior
