Editorial

The peace and stability of nations somehow depends on the political leadership. The more efficient the political leadership in executing their mandate, the more capable they become in terms of bringing the citizens together to work in unison and harmony for the interest of all.

This is precisely why nations that are blessed with a leadership that operates on the principles of democracy and good governance engage their counterparts in ensuring that they create a system of government in their respective countries which will operate on the principles and dictates of democracy and good governance, so that their countries can  attain growth and progress. This clearly explains President Jammeh's keen interest in the development of an effective political system that can produce a government of the people in our sister republic of Guinea Bissau.

Just some few years ago, ahead of presidential elections in Guinea Bissau, President Jammeh invited all the political parties of that country to Banjul to settle their differences so that they could set up a peaceful election process that would ensure the election of the people's choice.

The Gambian leader did not do this in isolation; every stakeholder in the day-to-day running of the affairs of state, including all the political parties in The Gambia, were invited to the reconciliation table. Such a move did not only manifest the high sense of political maturity The Gambia has attained, but also it served as a perfect pointer to the strong commitment of President Jammeh in building a peaceful and progressive Africa. Most importantly, that Banjul-Bissau political party talks actually paid dividend, as the country witnessed one of the most freely conducted elections in its political history.

But after the assassination of President Vieira, elections are again due in that troubled country, and all indications are that the political atmosphere there is becoming volatile. The recent reported killing of a presidential aspirant is a measure of the hot political temperature in Guinea Bissau. Therefore, the invitation by President Jammeh of the political leaders in that country to return to the negotiation table so as to carve a new beginning is another invaluable chance to set the country on a sane footing.

We do hope that through their political leaders, the people of Guinea Bissau will seize this opportunity to put an end to their past differences and collectively work towards building a Guinea Bissau of the people, as envisaged by President Jammeh, whose line of thinking is no different from the great African heroes like Amilcar Cabral, Guinea Bissau'sam independence hero.