Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Darboe said the government had handled the sensitive border and farming issues with restraint, arguing that retaliatory action could worsen tensions between the two neighbours.
“I think the government has approached the matter with maturity; that is what is expected. We don’t resort to retaliatory actions, which can be counterproductive.”
His comments come amid concerns among Gambian communities over recent border and farming issues between the two countries.
Darboe said Barrow had done what he expected from a government faced with such a sensitive situation and encouraged him to continue with the same approach.
“And I believe that President Adama Barrow has really done what I expect of him in this type of situation,” he said.
However, Darboe stressed that maintaining friendly relations with Senegal should not mean allowing Gambian territorial integrity to be compromised.
“We have to maintain good relations with Senegal. In fact, for me, Gambia and Senegal should be top on our foreign policy priorities,” he said.
“But that said, our territorial integrity cannot be compromised.”
Darboe said The Gambia must ensure that its geographical boundaries are respected, while avoiding actions that could escalate tensions.
“We are not saying that Gambia should take up arms or Gambia should really do the same thing,” he said, adding that the country must remain protective of every inch of its territory.
He also said Senegal should remain an important partner for The Gambia, particularly given the two countries’ close geographical, economic and security ties.
But if negotiations with Senegal reach an impasse over an issue considered important to Gambian citizens, Darboe said his government would seek an international solution rather than resorting to confrontation.
“I will commit it to international dispute resolution. I will commit it to that before any other thing.”
Darboe’s position places diplomacy and restraint at the centre of his approach to relations with Senegal, while maintaining that national sovereignty must remain protected.
