The love for money, material, power, etc. has constantly remained a stimulant, as it were, for the increasing level of violent unrest around the world, setting human beings against one another. The tremendous urge for selfishness and greed abound means that this trend of unrest, the world over, is sure to continue if man does not see reason and submit to wisdom.

Today, conflict does not know boundary, nor does it know race or religion; animosity between states (interstate wars) is far outnumbered by what exist among citizens of the same countries (civil wars). It is therefore the task of every citizen of the civilized world to join the effort in peace building.

Peace is an essential requirement for development, regardless of who the people that make up such a civilization are. Given the influence of globalization and its accompanying quandaries, for a country like the Gambia to have gone this far, unaffected, demonstrates a unique value that is no doubt fancied by the rest of the world. The beautiful thing is that as a selfless and cautious nation, our preoccupation has been peace building. When your neighbor’s house is on fire, you are obliged to lend a hand, lest you become the next victim. We have seen that happen in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and in other parts of Africa.  

The Gambia has indeed made a name for itself in peace building. Actually, it had never mattered where the conflict is. The world is a global village. The turn of event that was ushered in by the new dispensation has had to bring Small Gambia into glory in terms of not only consolidating its own culture of peace, but for also demonstrating a fair level of resoluteness in its concern for peace in the rest of the world.

The Gambian military, for instance, has constantly been at the forefront since Liberia, in the late 80s, then Sierra Leone, and now Darfur, propagating peace and security. Beyond the continent, we have been in areas as far as Nepal and East Timor. All this is, no doubt, thanks to a guiding principle embodied by the Commander-in-chief of the Gambia armed forces, whose championing stance on the matter has been recognized the world over.

Peace building look set to continue to be a key endeavor in this government’s priority. This has been demonstrated by the inauguration of the latest batch of men and women that are set for the war turn Sudanese province of Darfur. These gallant men and women are set to put their names in history, giving renewed hope for millions of Sudanese who stand to bear the brunt of whatever that result from any escalation of the fighting. Our hope and prayers are  reserved for them, their families and their loved ones.