Africa-Press – Gambia. The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund, recently conducted a step-down training on early warning and conflict prevention.
The event, held at the Governor’s Conference Hall in Kerewan, North Bank Region, aimed to enhance the capacity of regional early warning and response systems to prevent violent conflict and promote peace.
The training brought together a wide range of participants, including Insider Mediators, representatives of political parties, multidisciplinary community leaders, religious leaders, and youths. The program focused on equipping them with tools and knowledge to better manage and respond to emerging conflict signals within their communities.
In his opening remarks, Governor Lamin Saidykhan highlighted the significance of the convergence, noting that it provided a platform for stakeholders to critically discuss early warning mechanisms, conflict prevention, tribal politics, and religious differences, all with the goal of strengthening peacebuilding and fostering social cohesion.
Governor Saidykhan also urged religious leaders and Imams to use public gatherings to promote peace, describing peace as an essential public good. He commended WANEP and the UN Peacebuilding Fund for their foresight and dedication, while also encouraging citizens to remain law-abiding.
Dr. Malang Bojang, National Early Warning System (NEWS) Manager at WANEP, explained that the step-down training was designed to consolidate peace efforts by empowering families and individuals to adopt effective conflict management practices.
He noted that in recent years, The Gambia has made significant strides in enhancing its Early Warning System in response to climate risks, human security threats, and natural disasters.
Dr. Bojang added that WANEP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, conducted a comprehensive assessment of existing early warning capabilities. The assessment aimed to identify gaps and needs to strengthen these systems essential for preventing conflict amid ongoing economic, political, and social challenges.
Haruna Kuyateh, WANEP Focal Point in the North Bank Region and lead trainer of the session, emphasized that early warning, conflict resolution, and management techniques are essential in strengthening family bonds and promoting social cohesion. He stated that early warning is a cost-effective approach, noting that “the cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of conflict resolution.”
He also stressed the importance of community understanding and ownership of early warning systems. “Communities must recognize risks, respect warnings, and actively participate in building responses to the early warning information collected,” he said.
The training covered several thematic areas
Ngui Secka, Chairperson of the NBR Insider Mediators Group, expressed gratitude to WANEP and its partners for their invaluable support.
She reaffirmed her group’s commitment to peacebuilding efforts and called on the government and development partners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at fostering social cohesion and sustainable peace.
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