The Peace Network and the Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat had, on Monday, 7th August 2023, signed an MOU. The signing Ceremony took place at Cape Point, Bakau.
The MOU seeks to promote Peace, Security, Unity, and Cooperation in Senegambia Region and to establish partnerships to conduct collaborative advocacy, sensitization, peace education, and peacebuilding within Senegambia; to develop mechanisms to strengthen harmony, cooperation, and collaboration between the Government of The Gambia and Government of Senegal and their citizens at large.
It also seeks to design strategies to conduct impartial mediation and conflict settlement mechanisms, research, and inform policymakers on potential conflicts and constructive conflict resolution mechanisms in the region and to promote the dissemination of related research, empirical evidence, and findings from actual case application through scientific publications, relevant workshops, seminars, and conferences to inform the public on causes of conflict and resolution mechanisms in Senegambia.
Furthermore, to educate and advocate for human security in Senegambia.
In addition, to periodically organize conferences on peace, cooperation, and unity in Senegambia; to Increase access to information on all related issues to maintain sub-regional peace and security.
The areas of cooperation between the two institutions are: To provide platforms for peacebuilding and peace education in both The Gambia and Senegal; To develop strategies and conduct outreach and dialogue programs on peace and unity in Senegambia region; To conduct radio and television programs to educate and sensitize the public on the importance of peace and harmony in Senegambia; To train security personnel of Senegal and The Gambia on transnational crimes and cross border conflict management; To identify opportunities and use public or private finances towards funding peace, security, harmony, cooperation, and research projects; To skill up Senegal Government Civil Servants and Gambia Government Civil Servants on conflict management, collaboration and productive working relations for peaceful coexistence between the two countries; To train members of the private sector and entrepreneurs on opportunities and prospects in peaceful Senegambia region.
Speaking at the event, HE. Ambassador El. Hadji Ibou Boye, Executive Secretary of Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat, commended The Peace Network for its outstanding work to promote peace and social cohesion in The Gambia.
Ambassador Boye desired to work with Peace Network to promote peace and security in the Senegambia region.
He stated that peace and security are paramount for developing the Senegambia region, adding that the Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat was established to strengthen the relationship between the Gambia and Senegal.
“Gambia and Senegal are brotherly countries with many things in common. He stressed the need for cohesive and vibrant cooperation between Gambia and Senegal.”
The CEO of Peace Network, Alasana Justice Jallow, said that Peace Network was established to promote peace and security in the Gambia and beyond; therefore, the signing of the MOU with Senegalo-Gambia is an outstanding achievement, and it will advance efforts of Peace Network in promoting peace in the Senegambia region.
CEO Jallow stated that the most important commodity that is needed between Gambia and Senegal is peace, security, and mutual understanding. “Because without peace and security, there will be no development in our region.”
