The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Daily Observer
22 October 2009
analysis
It is disheartening to learn that peace is still absent in Senegalese southern region of Cassamance. The parties to the conflict should resort to adressing matters by peaceful means.
This unfortunate development deserves common concern on the part of humanity. Those perpetrating violent conflicts should realise the need to put peace over selfish personal interests. The value of peace towards achieving lasting sustainable development cannot be overemphasised. It is described as the state of freedom from war and disturbance in our midst. Peolple must be seen to be agents of peace and inculcate the spirit of peace in themselves and their children; thus make this planet a better place fit for human survival.
It is with this understanding that the president of the Republic always emphasise the need for global peace and justice. This rare and enviable qualities of the Gambian leader is clearly indicated in his recent ceasefire message sent to parties in the ongoing conflict in Casamance, the southern region of Senegal.
In this, President Jammeh exhibited his uncompromising stance against all sorts of conflicts and indifference to human sufferings taking place in Casamance and beyond.
He extensively explained his personal position and that of The Gambia to the untold suffering and inhuman conditions of the people of Casamance, especially the recent escalation of violence at a time when farmers are about to harvest their crops. As he envisioned, those crops will be abandoned and not harvested; thus increase food insecurity and more human suffering in that region and even beyond.
It is obvious that the longstanding conflict in Casamance has devastating impacts on livelihoods. As the president put it, it almost killed agriculture, which is supposed to be the backbone of the region's survival and perhaps a move towards alleviating global food crisis.
Those perpetrating this conflict should know that the solution to the problem of Casamance is not a military one but instead a problem to be solved at the negotiating table.
The parties to the casamance conflict should also bear in mind that they have a birth right and inalienable obligation to build, defend, protect and promote the integrity and fundamental human rights of the people of Casamance. They must be seen to be good ambassadors of peace, promoting and defending ideals of peaceful co-existence in the region.
We have more at stake in this 21st century than violence and conflict particularly in our this part of the world - the developing countries. It should be an era preoccupied by scientific and technological innovations to surpress global pressing issues like food and economic crisis, the numerous problems of the developing countries. We therefore join the president in calling on the parties to the Casamance conflict to build on their human, political and economic gains instead of their indifferences, for lasting peace and development of the region.
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