The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), in collaboration with the Gambia Police Force (GPF), yesterday, launched a Divisional Community Police Task Force within the Kanifing Municipal Council, at a ceremony held on the KMC ground.

The task force which comprises of eleven committees is aimed at establishing the Divissional Community Policing Task force and to promote and strengthen the spirit of peaceful co-existence between the police and the communities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yankuba Kolley, the Mayor of KMC, spoke at length on the importance of community policing. He described the new project as wonderful, coming at the right time, considering the rate of crime and other related criminal activities in the country, especially within the MKC, being one of the biggest councils in The Gambia.

The KMC Mayor then expressed gratitude to the GPF for initiating the project.

Abdoulie Sanyang, chief executive officer of the Kanifing Municipal Council, described the work of the police as a noble and excellent profession, adding that it is the duty and responsibility of both the police and the community to ensure safety and peace in communities.

“It is the duty and responsibility of all citizens to ensure and maintain peaceful existence and crime free society. The police and the community has to work hand in glove to maintain peace and order in communities. The police cannot do it all alone but people have to help them achieve their goals for making The Gambia a total crime free country," he said.

Pa Habibu Mbye, the newly elected chairman of the community policing, emphasised the need for both the community and police to work closely for the maintenance of peace and order in communities.

Sireh Jabang, Officer Commanding Community policing, also spoke at the ceremony.

Cease Fire - September 21

Another Year; another Special Day! 21st September - United Nations International Peace Day and Global Cease Fire! Each year people around the world observe and commemorate this day as a day of peace and global cease fire - cessation of hostilities, a day of mending relationships and peace building.

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:

Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples... This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment. above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.

And twenty-six years on individuals and organizations alike are provided with an opportunity each year to create practical acts of peace in a shared manner. Following the declaration of Peace Day in 1981, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a NEW resolution 55/282 in 2001 declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace and global cease fire. A cessation of hostilities for 24 hours can enable relief workers to reach civilians in need of food, water and medical supplies. Furthermore, in recognition of a day without violence it provides hope for citizens who must endure war and conflict on a daily basis and to some extent demonstrate that peace is possible.

The resolution: Declares that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global cease fire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day...

The importance of a Global Ceasefire has also been stressed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In a speech at the 2007 Peace Bell ringing ceremony, he said, I call for a day of global ceasefire: A 24-hour respite from the fear and insecurity that plague so many places. I urge all countries and all combatants to honour a cessation of hostilities. I urge them to ponder the high price that we all pay because of conflict. I urge them to vigorously pursue ways to make this temporary ceasefire permanent.

For centuries the world has and continues to experience armed conflict and live with the scourge of these conflicts. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons continue to fuel many of such conflicts impacting directly on the security of communities. With acts of terrorism being an ever present threat to world peace the need to combat it has become a constant struggle. Faced with these global challenges, the need for Peace Day commemoration is reinforced through our collective and individual efforts.

Thus on Sunday 21 September The Gambia join millions of people around the world to commemorate this day, remembering those for who peace is a distant cry: land mine and cluster bomb victims, internally displaced persons, refugees around the world, victims of rape and domestic violence, disaster victims, the hungry as a result of the increasing global food crisis and the state of the environment. And also for those whose basic human rights are constantly being violated. Spare a moment of thought.

Finally as we commemorate yet another Peace Day, particularly during this holy month of fasting (Ramadan), let us spare a moment remembering these victims while focusing on building a long-term culture of peace.

Wishing you a peaceful celebration West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) The Gambia

The other day I was listening to Network Africa, a BBC morning Programme show, which mainly focuses on African issues. To be précised it was on the Morning of Saturday the 20 September 2008, the presenter of the Programme, was on power sharing. Can you imagine?

 The case of the Zimbabwe power sharing was the main topic under discussion in this particular BBC morning show. The presenter gave the impression to his audience that he was reading text messages from listeners. The messages were on the topic POWER SHARING, which was provoked by him. Most of the messages he implied were sent to him by SMS, some of which he read over BBC, as follows: You can share money, you can share land, you can even share women, BUT you cannot share POWER.

What a disappointment, by a reputable radio like the BBC. What is that Programme aiming at if one may ask? Is it creating disunity among people who have already agreed to share power or what? Well these are some of the conceptions most of us have about the way the west report Africa. If one dose not cement the already concrete achievements by those who help to broker such power sharing deals, and among those who agree to sign the deals putting their country’s interest before personal     interest, it will only be better not to fiddle with such a big achievement, Mr. BBC.

I for one commend both the Zimbabwean and Kenyan governments and their leaders , and on the other hand that of the opposition leaders and their followers for such a wonderful way of settling their political differences. Power sharing is becoming a way forward for us the Africans. And the beauty of the whole show is that the deals were brokered by Africans themselves. In the Kenyan case it was the Ghanaian, and that of Zimbabwe, it was by a South African. This is a step toward an African Unity government as it indicates that we African are ready to put our differences aside for the good of our continent.    

The governments of Zimbabwe and Kenya are worth emulation on the continent of Africa. These are two countries that have experienced the worst hostile relationships during our time, between the heads of ruling parties and opposition parties. The president of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe has been very adamant about how he intended to rule Zimbabwe, without sharing any power with people like his arch rival, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Changes (MDC), for many years. He has on several occasions sent him to jail. At one point it was said and reported, that he ordered the beating of Tsvangirai to the point that his opponent got serious head injuries.

 He was quoted saying at one point that he will not move the dates of the elections, not even by a day, all because the call was coming from the opposition, who were saying they were not ready for it. “These are the people who are calling for elections” Mugabe was quoted, “why do they have to turn around now and say the dates have to be pushed”?  He maintained that position and went to the polls, and said to have won, but the oppositions deny that he won the elections.

If President Mugabe of all people can put national interest first before any other interest, I cannot see why other African leaders cannot do the same. Here is a man who has been portrayed by the western media as one who is anti- progress, one who is a dictator, one who has over stayed, but at the end of the day when he fails to have more seats in the house of parliament, and could not also secure the 50% of the votes caste at the presidential elections, he accepted the results and agreed to go for a second round as dictated by the constitution. After all this, Mugabe, agreed to a power sharing deal brokered by South African president, Thabo Mbeki. This is a good sign by Mugabe, and that it should be emulated by other African leaders.

What is happening today, in Kenya and Zimbabwe, can never be imagined some years ago. For a government in which both Mugabe and his arch rival Morgan will serve, Morgan as Prime Minister Whiles Mugabe the President. The post of cabinet are also shared among the major political parties irrespective of there political standing. This is great and is worth emulation by others. Such power sharing can save poor Africa some huge amount of monies. If political parties can agreed on power sharing without going to polls, it will create extra monies for other developments. The monies spend on elections can be diverted to other very important sectors, like education, health and communications.

In fact African leaders should not wait for a situation like what happen in Zimbabwe to happen before such power sharing deals are made. It could come when there is no stalemate or an impasse. If opposing parties can simply accept cabinet positions in the government they oppose, that  will only go to increase the chances of unity among themselves. And by that way hardly any bad blood among the two. Such marriages   can come to an end when it is time to go the polls.

In Kenya the case was not that much different. Tens of thousands of innocent people lost their lives when President Mwai Kibaki claimed to have won the December 2007, disputed elections. Some commentators like this author, described the whole situation as madness or mere creed on the side of Mwai Kibaki, It was said that looking at the rate and manner those tens of thousands of innocent lives were being destroyed, just because of power, was madness on the president’s part.

For the better part of the first months of 2008, Kenya’s political situation remained fluid, tense and unpredictable. Many believed the country would never hold again, following weeks of violence precipitated by the disputed election victory that returned President Mwai kibaki to power. But after an exigent search for peace by the eminent Ghanaian and former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, Kenya is now celebrating the formation of one of its most robust coalition government in its history.

The question that every African should ask themselves, is how did Kenya do it? In a multi ethnic society of about 40 distinct ethnics groups, Kenya’s nationhood was clearly and firmly jolted by post election violence. But hope came on the horizon when Raila Odinga opposition, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) decamped from its earlier radical position to press for resignation of President Mwai and his Party of National Unity (PNU), to allow for a fresh election. This change of heart  by ODM, open the doors for negotiations wider , and it was soon apparent that Odinga was ready to share power and responsibility with kibaki for the shake of bringing peace and unity  to their bruised country .  The happy ending came to bear on 17 April 2008, when the new 43 member cabinet became complete, with Odinga taking up the newly created post of prime minister, and his ODM party taking up of half of the posts.

Now that we have two such kinds on the continent of Africa, I want to believe that all is not lost for a unity government in the near future for the whole of Africa. However what needs to be done now and right now is an emulation of the governments in Zimbabwe and that of Kenya. But  power sharing should slightly take a different shape from these two governments. Whiles these two came about, costing African some lives the others should come up with no cost of lives. That is before incumbents and oppositions leaders wait for such deterioration, they should maturely come to agreements, and form power sharing governments.

Once again bravo to the governments of Zimbabwe and Kenya, the opposition parties, their people and the two imminent African in the persons of Kofi Annan and Thabo Mbeki.

The Supreme Islamic Council has elected its new executive. Momodou Lamin Touray and ten others were elected having stood unopposed. The other executive members are: Alhagie Sheriff Bajan, 1stVice President; Sheikh Gibril Kujabi, 2ndVice President; Dr. Mbye Kebba Kah, Secretary-General; Ebrima Touray, Deputy Secretary-General; Ajaratou Jainaba Dibba, Assistant Secretary General English; Cherno Darboe, Assistant Secretary-General Arabic; Baba Drammeh Junior, Treasurer; Alhagie Mamadou Lamin Kanteh, Assistant Treasurer; Alhagie Baba Bubacarr Drammeh, Auditor and Aja Maimuna Savage, Assistant Auditor.

We wish the new executive the best of luck in their new roles but also appeal for calm and unity in the ranks of all Muslims. Directly in the aftermath of the election the offices of The Point were stormed by a group of people who were not best pleased with the outcome of the election. They were irate and discontented with the turn of events they had just witnessed. The group had supported an alternative candidate for the presidency. What is called for now is a period of calm. Let each group assess their situation with cool heads and try and seek a peaceful solution.

In his farewell speech, the outgoing president of SIC, Alh. Banding Drammeh, assured the new executive of his continued support. He called for unity and understanding among Muslims in the country. The names of these executive members were announced by the Returning Officer, Alhaji Mustapha Carrayol, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). We add our voice to this call and hope that unity, prosperity and peace will flow for all Muslims during the life of the new executive. Fighting has no place in Islam, it is a religion of peace. We ask all Muslims in The Gambia to remember this at all times and try to live in a fashion which adheres to these Islamic principles.

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

Albert Einstein

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ensa Badjie, recently announced that there would be no extension for any peace- keepers after successfully completing their tours of duties in their various mission areas, as long as he is occupying the office of Inspector General of Police.

 IGP Badjie was speaking at a welcoming ceremony for eight returnee army officers from the observer mission in Darfur, after successfully completing their mission. He maintained that if there were extensions, others would not benefit from the peacekeeping missions.

He pointed out that this is an occasion of thankfulness that after successfully serving away from home the personnel have returned home in good health.  “Of course this is a good name to our nation”, he added.  He noted that it is not a surprise to him that the Gambian peacekeepers are always exceptional in their various mission areas.

The police boss then prayed for the remaining contingent to come back home safely after completing their mission without experiencing any ill-conditions or encountering risky situations. He affirmed that the officers had performed their duties as was expected of them. “Even when the officer is PHD holder if he or she doesn’t perform their duty they will sacked or asked to resign,” he said. Turning to the issue of postings IGP Badjie stressed that any officers who have postings anywhere you have to go and serve that posting until the period is elapsed. He added that postings are compulsory to each and every officer and that “you most have to go and serve your term anywhere you may be posted within The Gambia.”

Also speaking at ceremony, and deputizing for contingent commander, Famara Badjie told the security chiefs that the men lived up to the expectation during their tour of duty in their various mission areas. He said as a Gambian contingent they don’t have many problems during the tour of duty and everybody came home safely without any ill- situation as many African contingents are facing.

 He said the men are worthy of congratulation though the mission is very risky, the men are well experienced and showed their readiness at any point in time when the need arises. He added that the men did their best to make sure and abide by the rules and the regulations of the AU during their away duties.

There have been rumours and speculation in recent times that there is an Alkaloship crisis in the village of Tanjeh in Kombo South. This reporter has visited the area in an effort to get the facts and shed light on the subject.

Speaking to The Point at his residence in Tanjeh the Alkalo, Cherno Bojang, alias Alikali Bojang, said that the story was true and factual. He said that recently a Senegalese national called Momodou Manneh had been claiming that he was the Alkalo of a certain community in Tanjeh.

According to the Alkalo, the matter was settled finally as some security personnel came to the scene to intervene. He added that since the formation of Tanjeh as a community his family and clan are entitled to and have held the Alkaloship. He told The Point that he is the 8th Alkalo of Tanjeh since its formation.

Speaking about the development of Tanjeh, Mr. Bojang said that there is a serious need for a health centre in the village as the women are suffering a lot when they are in labour. He also spoke about the poor roads in the village along with the good drinking water.

He said that Tanjeh has a population of over 15,000 people and all of them cannot be supplied by a 60,000-litre water tank. “This is affecting our community negatively, especially those living on the outskirts,” he stated.

He also mentioned the need for a proper market in the village.

While thanking the government for the concern for Gambian development he appealed to them and philanthropists to help Tanjeh with the difficulties being faced by the people.

Mr Samba Faal, the mayor of Banjul and president of the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (Galga) has been elected as a member of the pan-African World Council through the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), during the ordinary congress of UCLGA, from July 7- July 11, in Accra, Ghana.

Galga was represented at the congress by Samba Faal, Sunkary Badgie, the chairman of Brikama Area Council and the executive secretary of Galga, Alhaji Mustapha Njai.
The Ghana congress, which was attended by at least 2,500 delegates from Africa and beyond, was hosted by the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana.

The main theme amongst others focused on the role of local government in peace building, local leadership challenges in Africa, innovative practices in the provision of basic services at local level, promoting inclusive local governance, local government responsiveness to climate change and municipal international cooperation.

Papers were also presented on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, local economic development, job creation, social inclusion, civil participation, sustainable development through environmental and ecosystems balance, and city development strategic planning as a development tool, among others.

The congress concluded with the following recommendations:
The congress re-elected the president of UCLGA, Father S Mkhatshwa of South Africa, who was nominated by Galga and was unanimously elected by the congress.
The congress called for unity in action to make a positive impact and difference in the lives of citizens of African.

The next meeting will take place in September 2008 in South Africa and Galga is invited as an active member.