The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has recently concluded engaging Security personnel, youth organisations, CSO’s and other relevant stakeholders on how to maintain a peaceful and violent free country to foster unity amongst these groups in the post-election period.

The regional interface dialogue started on Sunday 19 to 28 December, 2021 and was supported by UNFPA under the UN Peacebuilding Fund in collaboration with the National Youth Council. The activity was a sequel to the national interface dialogue that was organised in June 2021, before the presidential elections.

The dialogue which was implemented in all the administrative regions of the country was meant to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss security and peace of post-election, as well as build capacities required to address emerging conflict threats.
It was also aimed at enhancing a mutual understanding and foster collaboration between security forces, youths, political actors and other stakeholders in order to promote the fundamental tool of democracy, respect for rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms and the maintenance of peace and stability under the theme: “Building cordial relations among stakeholders to preserve national peace and security, post 2021 presidential election”.

Mr. Ansumana Ceesay, the Senior Program Officer of NCCE, expressed delight over the interface dialogue between stakeholders  added that “event will create the platform for stakeholders such as the Security, political actors, CSOs, CBOs, Young people, women and Media personnel, to freely discuss peace and security challenges relating to the post-election, as well as the capacities required to address the current and emerging challenges that could jeopardise national security and proffer recommendations for the way forward”.

For his part, Mr Yusupha Bojang, the program manager of NCCE, stated that after a crucial presidential election that was hotly contested and left the country deeply polarised, it is fundamental to keep the conversation on peace and peaceful co-existence going and build trust between civilians and security services.  He also noted that it is very crucial for every citizen to know their rights, their responsibilities as well as their limitations. He said they should equally know the mandates of the security personnel in order for them to have peaceful co-existence amongst them and to maintain the peace in the country.

Meanwhile, the participants took turns to applaud the efforts NCCE is playing in the country in maintaining peace and also challenged everyone to be a peace ambassador in their respective communities.