German Embassy backs Bright Stars show to promote peaceful elections

By Hadram Hydara

The German Embassy in Banjul is supporting Bright Stars Entertainment as the main sponsor of its upcoming “Ranha Bissap” show as part of efforts to promote peaceful democratic participation ahead of The Gambia’s elections on December 5.

The show is expected to use comedy, music, and theatre to promote tolerance and inclusion.

The embassy said the partnership reflects Germany’s commitment to values shared with The Gambia, including democracy, human rights, diversity, freedom of expression, the rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of differences.

“Democracy means being able to express different opinions freely and peacefully. Disagreement is a natural part of democratic life, but violence, intimidation and discrimination have no place in it,” said German Ambassador to The Gambia Klaus Botzet.

“Everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or gender, has the right to vote and deserves to have his rights respected.”

With the elections approaching, Ambassador Botzet said safeguarding peace and democracy was a shared responsibility that extended beyond election day.

He said every citizen should be able to participate freely, have their voice heard, and contribute to the country’s future without fear or intimidation.

The ambassador also urged Gambians to wait for the official results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission to avoid confrontation.

“The official results are the ones that count! Wait for the official results announced by the IEC and don’t trust anybody who publishes results on their own account,” he said.

Ambassador Botzet also highlighted the role of young Gambians in shaping the country’s democratic future.

“Young people are not only the future of The Gambia – they are its present, too. I encourage them to make their voices heard, engage constructively and respect those whose views differ from their own. The participation of the youth is essential to building a peaceful, inclusive and democratic society.”

Germany and The Gambia established diplomatic relations in 1965. The German Embassy in Banjul opened in May 2023, after Germany had previously been represented through a liaison office linked to its embassy in Dakar.

Bright Stars Entertainment Gambia is a four-member comedy, theatre, and music collective known for using satire, live performances, and musical collaborations to address national issues and promote civic responsibility. Its annual “Ranha Bissap” show has tackled issues including tribalism, irregular migration, national unity, and peaceful democratic engagement.