After Mauritania, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye visited The Gambia on Saturday. Like the first official visit to Mauritania, the visit to Gambia « symbolizes the deep and shared desire of the two Heads of State to promote the spirit of affinity and mutual esteem for mutually beneficial collaboration between the governments and peoples of the two countries« .

In a joint communiqué, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries report that « the two Heads of State discussed the state of historic bilateral relations between Gambia and Senegal« . Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Adama Barrow thus « reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the established Presidential Council, with a view to continuing to raise cooperation between the two countries to a high strategic level« . In this context, they « agreed to consult each other regularly on issues of mutual interest, and to hold the next session of the Senegalese-Gambian Presidential Council in Dakar, Republic of Senegal, on dates to be set at a later date« . 

Military Presence in The Gambia: The Other Diplomatic Force of Senegal

Also, with a view to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, the Heads of State decided; « to intensify consultations between the authorities of the two governments in order to implement the agreements signed in the fields of security, defense, forest and wildlife management, trade, air transport, education and the judicial system« . In addition to the agreements signed between the two countries, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Gambian counterpart also exchanged « views on regional, continental and global developments, and agreed to pursue consultations and cooperation on issues of common interest« .  Moreover, the joint communiqué states, « they recognized the contributions of both countries to peace, security and development through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), etc. ».

During the meeting, President Adama Barrow renewed his invitation to Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for the 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to be held in Banjul on May 4 and 5, 2024. At the same time, he « thanked the government and people of Senegal for their support in ensuring the successful organization of the summit« . The document states that « Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed his appreciation and acceptance to participate in the summit in Banjul« .

 

The meeting was also an opportunity for the presidents of the two neighbouring countries to express « their great satisfaction with the state of bilateral relations between The Gambia and Senegal, and underlined the consubstantial nature of the ties uniting the two countries, inextricably linked by history, geography, culture and shared development aspirations« . In the same vein, they « welcomed the various efforts being made to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in numerous sectors« . To maintain this momentum, « the two leaders reaffirmed the firm commitment of their governments to continue working together to advance the excellent bilateral relations that happily exist between the two sister republics« .

On his return to Dakar, Bassirou Diomaye Faye sent a message thanking his « brother, President Adama Barrow, for the exceptional welcome and generous hospitality » extended to him and his delegation. « President Barrow’s availability, and the fervour and enthusiasm of the people, who came out en masse to cheer us on, prove that The Gambia and Senegal are one and that everything links us. I am determined to work with my Gambian counterpart to strengthen cooperation in all areas« , he said in his message.

By Dieynaba KANE – dkane@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH