The fragility of peace and security in the Mano River Union (MRU) basin is not, of course, only a concern of the governments of the original three countries, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia that made up of the organization, but also an issue of vital importance and interest for the youths therein, who are therefore endeavoring to light the flames of peace and call the attention of their governments to what they see as potential conflict spots.

So at the close of a mind-moving and search-for-peace workshop attended by youths from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone in the Sierra Leonean town of Jenema, and held under the auspices of West African Youth Network, they have made a resounding call to their governments and peoples not to relent and remain complacent about the little gains made in the search and attainment of peace and security in their respective borders, but that they rather should work harder to close foreseeable gaps that could be explored into full-blown conflict.

Also they have decided to go beyond borders of MRU countries, meet their colleagues and policy-makers and explain their vision for the attainment of lasting of peace in the MRU.

As a result, a high-powered delegation of several youths from Sierra Leone, Guinea joined their Liberian colleagues in Monrovia last week and met with officials of government including Maryland County Senior Senator John A. Ballout at the Capitol Building.

During the meeting with Senator Ballout held last Thursday, they articulated well on what they think could be done in the region by their governments to keep the torch for the search of peace burning.

In his remarks during the meeting, the head of the Guinea youthful delegation, first expressed delight that he and his colleagues could be provided the opportunity to meet with Sen. Ballout to share their concerns and views on the situation in their country, Guinea, which is in the process of electioneering.

Aboubacar Domsoko said they as youths of Guinea were not happy with the electoral process because of the attending factors that have the potential to push the country into full-scale conflict if the situation was not addressed by concerned parties and stakeholders, even leaders of the MRU countries.

For example, he told Senator Ballout and the gathering that they were apprehensive with the political process simply because those he called “militants” are divided between the two parties that qualified for the run-off elections in the country who could spark of confusion in any case their party was did not win the elections.

Because of this, he said, there was need for MRU leaders to prevail on the politicians and people of the country to do what is positive to spare Guinea any conflict by working with them find common grounds on issues of concern.

He also craved the indulgence of the Senator to convey their fears to President Sirleaf who is heading the MRU so that she can use her influence in holding talks with concerned parties to do what is best to avoid the country slipping into violence which could be too costly, noting that there was need for Liberia to play a greater role in the country.

Most importantly, Domsoko said the youths of Guinean were lacking behind in what he called ‘youth participation’ but hoped that with the unfolding solidarity and with the support of Rotary International to their efforts, the stain would be removed.

In his remarks also, the head of the Sierra Leonean youthful delegation Wilfred Bangura first thanked the organizers of the workshop and his colleagues for seeing the need to come together to cement the call to peace, and secondly gave an overview of the training which targeted young people, the issue of security and traditional leadership.

According to him, the whole idea of the training was to explore young people to what he called changing time, to equip them meet and withstand the challenges that lie ahead.

Bangura who recognized that there are varying conditions in the peace-building initiatives in the MRU states, also craved the assistance and cooperation of governments and stakeholders to “Help push the idea of peace across the region.”

Rapping on developments back home as it concerns youth development and peace-building programs, he said unfortunately his country did not get much out of the plethora of institutions that worked in the country during and after nine and half years conflict which the country and his people devastated.

“The many institutions that went into Sierra Leone have left with little change,” he emphasized and indicated this has created temptations for youths to engage into unauthorized activities.

Responding to the responses for the two representatives from Guinea and Sierra Leone, Senator John Ballout praised them for embarking on such a farsighted initiative, and noted that the search for peace in the MRU region must be the concern of all, not governments alone.

“I am very impressed with the delegation, not only the fact that you came here, not only the interest that you developed, not only the determination and seriousness you attaché, but the degree of intellect and capacity that I see in you the delegation,” he said.

The Senator said he was convinced beyond all reasonable doubts that with what he has seen from the presentations and determination of the youth, West Africa can boast of a force, and added that what the youths are trying to engineer, which is the right step in the right direction, has been lacking.

He put the youths’ action in the context of the normal political game of win and lose which often comes at the altar of interest.

“When political issue and social issues are left people who have interest, by politicians, then it is manipulated by them based on their interests at the time; when a space is also created, and the people who stand to lose or benefit from careless governance, because you stand to win or lose, you must have an interest to protect at the time,” he indicated.

According to the Maryland Senator, what has been begun by the MRU youths at the time the quest for peace and security in the region is rocketing must be seen beyond them so that the next generation of MRU youths will not suffer the same wrath visited upon them, and stressed “Because of you, their lives must be better.”