Members of
the Senegalese-Gambian Association for Integration and Socio-Economic
Development, SGAISD, have declared their commitment “to the promotion of
peaceful co-existence and sustainable development” between the people of the
two nations.
They are also “committed to the two governments embracing the spirit of economic integration, and encourage them to maintain regular consultation and dialogue in order to positively impact on our dream to fully integrate both countries”.
This is contained in The Banjul Declaration of the Sene-Gambian Integration, which was issued at the end of a two-day conference and symposium held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
“We are committed to the abolition of all forms of border restriction, free movement of people, goods and services; we are committed to cross border cooperation, an uninterrupted cross border trade and technological transfer between the two countries”, the declaration continued.
SGAISD therefore urged both governments, “to accelerate the already initiated integration process; accelerate the implementation of the inter-state road transit and the ECOWAS convention on free movement of people, goods and services, as well as all other bilateral agreements.
“We also urge both governments to avoid being taken hostage by none state actors...
SGAISG thanked the two heads of state “for the bold initiative in creating the current Senegalo-Gambian permanent secretariat and further thank the Gambia government for hosting its headquarters, and urge them to nominate the remaining directors to take their rightful position (at the secretariat) as signed by both states”.
