The long awaited meeting of Security chiefs of the West African sub-region, hosted by the Smiling Coast of the West Africa, the Gambia, has just ended with the participation of delegates from all the member countries. We were not the least surprised when we heard on GRTS praises being showered on Gambians, by heads of the visiting entourages, about the warm welcome they'd already received during their arrival. Such is the distinctiveness of Gambian hospitality. We hope it will impact on the outcome of the deliberations.

The belief that one's neighbor's problem is their shared problem is an all too familiar reality in this continent of ours, because our problems are normally intertwined, especially given the inherent nature of our cultural connections with one another.

The genuineness of a gesture is not measured by magnitude; rather it is measured by the intention. The average African attaches great meaning to honoring his contemporaries, and even more so his guests, regardless of his strength.

Whatever good thing that comes his way, he feels obliged to share it with those he relates with; however meager it might be. All of these relate with peace and security. This is the underpinning truth about the uniqueness of our civilization, one that is based on the principle of caring and sharing. This admirable tradition is expressed in some of our regional bodies, like the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of Defense Staff, among others.

For us to succeed in our effort to contain neocolonialism, which is in way responsible for our predicament, we ought to take our destiny into our own hands. A worthwhile collaboration among African nations will be vital to this end. As we gradually emerge from the undesirable situation of frequent instability, it is imperative that member states endeavor to strengthen the relevant structures that would ensure us prevail over the ever changing global situation. Security is crucial in this regard. It therefore remains a challenge for us, precisely for our security chiefs, to arrest the pockets of problems we are faced with currently.

Obviously the support of the general populace is quite essential for the attainment of this. Therefore, we wish to join calls by the CDS, Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, and his cohorts, for the general public's unflinching support for our security apparatus.