The Daily Observer (Banjul)
7 November 2008
opinion
No section of society can claim entitlement to any semblance of peace in the face of an eminent chaos amongst its neighbours.
Even if one is able to contain threat of escalation, it will be just a matter of time before they realize that no one is an island. Besides, your conscience won't allow you to rest while your neighbour is in disarray.
And, above all, it is especially ghastly to ignore your neighbour who is at the brink of chaos when you have all it takes to prevent it.
Apparently, this is the underlining principle behind this move by President Yahya Jammeh, convening this historic meeting among all the political parties in Guinea Bissau, in an attempt to stall any possible fracas that might emerge during that country's forthcoming election.
Of course the Gambian leader is no new man in the daunting mission of peace building, he has already made name for himself; Bissau Guineans are even more familiar with his obsession with peacemaking. That explains their apparent doubtless trust for his ability, as expressed by their enormous response to his call.
The Kairaba Beach hotel was the venue for that landmark meeting, which also saw in attendance leaders of the main opposition parties of The Gambia. Their presence at that meeting sends a strong message to the visitors, and it also confirms how far our fledgling democracy has gone, thanks to the kind of leadership we have been enjoying throughout the course of the last decade.
We have no doubt that something fruitful will come out of this meeting, and it will all remain the task of the people of Bissau to jealously guard whatever peace pact they might be going home with. Our fervent hope is that this development we saw last night be a lasting scene.
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