Gambia calls for cessation of South Sudan, CAR turmoil

The government called on all parties in the ongoing violence in both countries to exercise maximum restraint and to give peace a chance to avoid a humanitarian crisis. 

       Below we reproduce verbatim the government’s statement

The Gambia government continues to observe recent developments in South Sudan and Central African Republic with concern. The attempted overthrow of the newly established government in South Sudan is indeed unacceptable and the protagonists in this attempt should desist from destabilising that country. The African Union has strived hard to help stabilise the situation in this region and we will not allow the efforts expended in this direction to be nullified by such unwarranted upheavals.

We urge the parties involved to exercise restraint and to pay heed to the plight of the millions of people whose lives are at stake in this area. As the African Union celebrates its 50th anniversary, we need to consolidate the gains attained in ending the conflicts on the continent rather than create fresh conflicts. 

As current Chairman of the AU Peace and Security Council President Jammeh has spoken to the President of South Sudan and will be talking to the current Chairman of the AU, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne of Ethiopia on the need to take urgent action to resolve the situation in South Sudan. 

Central African Republic

As we witness yet another episode of political unrest in the CAR, we deplore the violence in that country and call on the perpetrators of such violence to desist from destabilising the CAR. Ethnic and religious violence cannot and will never be condoned and we condemn in the strongest terms violence against innocent people, especially women and children. We call on all parties in the ongoing violence to exercise maximum restraint and to give peace a chance to avoid a humanitarian crisis. 

The Gambia will continue her support for the resolution of this conflict within the framework of the AU Peace and Security Council in collaboration with our strategic partners in the international community. While welcoming the support of all allies in the resolution of these conflicts, we also reiterate the need for all interventions to be channelled through institutions and mechanisms under the AU.  As the AU continues to take its responsibility for peace and security in Africa with utmost seriousness, it is important that other countries and organisation that want to help in this process respect and cooperate with the AU. We maintain our neutrality in all conflicts and will remain steadfast in our view that conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means.

As pronounced during the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the OAU/AU anniversary, The Gambia advocates a decade of Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and in that vein we call for the cessation of hostilities in South Sudan and the Central African Republic while emphasising the need to respect the mandate of the current Governments. As par the principles of the AU, we will not recognise any Government that comes to power by the use of force. Therefore The Gambia, as current Chair of the AU Peace and Security Council, will stand firm by the principles and convictions of the AU to make sure that there is no compromise in respecting the legitimate mandates of Sitting Governments.