Dr Omar Touray, minister of Foreign Affairs and Gambians Abroad, has made clear The Gambia's role in Guinea Bissau, saying that the former has no colonial interest in the later.

 "Our concern," he said, "is to make sure that Guinea Bissau stops the impunity and gain everlasting peace, stability and security". Dr Touray made these remarks last Thursday, during the consultative meeting sanctioned by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, which brought together leaders of the main political parties in that rather restive country.

The meeting which was presided over by  the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, who was representing the president of the Republic, was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi. "Guinea Bissau," The Gambia's Foreign Affairs Minister told the crowded hall, "is a sovereign state." And he added: "The Gambia could have ignored what is happening there, but President Jammeh's concern for peace and stability in that country, the sub-region and the African continent prompted him to initiate this meeting." Dr Touray went on: "We need change and we need peace and stability in Guinea Bissau. We should fight against impunity by looking into the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice."

The Gambia's Foreign minister would not conclude his speech without throwing a piece of advice for the politicians of Guinea Bissau, calling on them to go to the polls with clear commitment, and to accept the outcome of the polls in good faith. For his part, Mustapha Carayol, chairman of the Gambia's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), cited the preamble of the memorandum of understanding signed in Banjul earlier on November 6th 2008, in which the leaders of the various political parties in attendance committed themselves to put their past behind, and, in the higher interest of their country, "to work constructively towards national reconciliation and the consolidation of democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance." Taking cue from the aforementioned, he said, the political party leaders of Guinea Bissau have pledged never to put their beloved country in a state of anarchy again.

"They have resolved to put the interest of Bissau Guineans before their own individual and egoistic tendencies and, most importantly, to consolidate the peace and security of their country," Chairman Carayol noted. He therefore enjoined all Bissau Guineans to endeavour to foster unity, respect the rule of law and to commit themselves in making good the numerous blessings given to them by God. Last Thursday's meeting was the second of its kind been held in The Gambia, under the auspices of the Gambian leader, in his continued effort in finding lasting peace in that country. In attendance were members of the diplomatic and consular communities, among other sections of the Gambian,  Bissau Guinean and Senegalese communities in the country.

The representatives from the various political parties in Guinea Bissau were Mamadu Iaia Djalo, adviser of diplomatic cooperation and religious matters to the current interim president, who is also the presidential candidate for the New Democracy Party; Austino Dacosta, representative of the PRS party leader and candidate; Kumba Yalla, former president of Guinea Bissau; and Maria Rosa Rosa, wife of Hendrique Prierra Rosa, former president of Guinea Bissau, who is now an independent presidential candidate for the June 28 presidential election.