Senegal-Gambia relations

People of the two countries, especially our leaders, should have a common understanding and aspiration to move the vision of Senegambia forward in unison; nothing less nothing more.

As we always emphasise on these pages, the two governments should put emphasis on cooperation in key areas, notably security, trade, free movement of people and goods.

In terms of security cooperation, necessitated by perceived and known threats to the stability of the Senegambia region, we again call for the armies of both countries to cooperate more closely, so as to ensure the mutual security and peace of the two states.

It is important that both countries make this commitment, because there is no way trade can flourish between the two countries in an atmosphere of suspicion and instability.

In the field of transport, our leaders must ensure that vehicles move freely between the two countries. They should have direct access to our respective capitals and other parts of The Gambia and Senegal.

There should also be smooth unhindered movement of trucks transporting goods from The Gambia to other parts of the sub-region, to facilitate the re-export trade on which The Gambia depends so much.

We would like to emphasize more on the field of transport due to the reported blockage of the border crossing for commercial vehicles on both sides by the transport union of Senegal.

While we do not know what exactly went wrong, we would like to call on the two governments to intervene and resolve any problem at the border crossing for commercial vehicles.

We want to remind all Senegambians that our common ancestry and history have bonded us together in such a way that we are condemned to live together forever.

It is, therefore, to the advantage of both states to emphasise our affinity rather than dwell on differences that are inimical to mutual progress and prosperity.

The Gambia and Senegal are naturally related, and we must cherish this.

Let us remain united for the betterment of our two peoples and Africa as a whole.

“The best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.”

Aristotle