Government fail to attend 3 Year Jotna-GFYPB Dialogue

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By SULAYMAN WAAN

The Gambia Government under the leadership of President Adama Barrow over the weekend failed to attend a dialogue forum involving the 3 Years Jotna and Gambia for Five Years and Peace Builders (GFYPB ) movements on invitation of Africare Initiative and partners at a forum held in a local hotel.

Africare Initiative in collaboration with the National Youth Council and Gambia Red Cross Society invited the 3 Years Jotna and GFYPB, Gambia Government and development partners to dialogue on the country’s controversial matter.

The peace conference attracted executive members of both movements ahead of the 3 Years Jotna propose protest in December but the Gambia Government and its development partners were not represented and that government absenteeism in the conference provoked more criticism by the 3 Years Jotna movement.

Government’s absence and 3 Years Jotna’s concern
Responding to the movement concern about government’s failure to attend the dialogue, Ms. Marie Sock, executive director of Africare Initiative informed the conference that her organization had send invitation letters to various ministries and government institutions requesting them to participant in the peace conference so as to dialogue with the two movements before the protest arises.

“I have written invitation letters to all government departments before the dialogue. I have written letters to the Secretary General and Head of Civil Servants, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Information and Inspector General of Police,” she revealed.

However, she said the organization invited the government institutions in order to dialogue with the 3 Years Jotna movement regarding the propose protest before it is too late.

According to her, she requested for the presence of the IGP at dialogue to ensure they they (police) discuss with the youth as to how they would protect the protesters in the course of the demonstration but the security institutions fail to attend the dialogue.

Disappointment
Sheriffo Sonko, executive member of the 3 Years Jotna movement expressed disappointment with government’s failure to attend the dialogue.

“We are invited to discuss about peace. In discussing about peace I think it is going to be very important if we have our government represented but unfortunately

Sheriffo Sonko, Executive Member at 3 Years Jotna

“I have not seen any government representative at the high table. This is sad,” he expressed.

He added: “You want us to discuss about peace and you know that you have been elected in office by the people. Those people called you to dialogue with them and you say no.” sic

The 3 Years Jotna executive member further said the movement is not only calling on President Barrow to honour his promised in December, 2016 by resigning but added that want him to know power belong to the masses.

“If we do not elect the president in office he would not be a president,” he argued.

Mr. Sonko noted that there should be mutual respect between government and the public.