His Excellency President Adama Barrow And President Mackey Sall
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Presidents Adama Barrow of the Gambia and Macky Sall of Senegal reaffirmed their countries’ close bilateral ties at the conclusion of the third Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council Meeting in Bijilo.
The meeting, which was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center, was an opportunity for the two presidents to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest, including trade, security, and regional development.
President Adama Barrow said that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to review the agreements and commitments made at the second Presidential Council meeting in Dakar in 2020. He added that the meeting also served to foster a more robust and mutually beneficial relationship between Senegal and Gambia.
“Our vision is to collaborate fully in fulfilment of the aspirations and expectations of the people. No wonder, our strategy is results-based and reflects a collective desire to successfully implement projects with higher dividend yields. The Senegambia Bridge project provides a typical example. These results-oriented approach can only be reinforced and sustained through regular Presidential Council Sessions,” Barrow said.
In his speech today, Gambian President Adama Barrow reiterated his government’s commitment to accountability and follow-up. He said that the resolutions of the last meeting were reviewed, and that the importance of accountability and follow-up was recognized.
President Barrow said that their governments are duty-bound to ensure that the promises made translate into tangible actions that would positively impact the lives of their citizens. He said that to achieve this, their governments will be working closely with the citizens to make a real difference in honour of the trust their people place in them.
President Barrow also expressed his appreciation to the Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat for working tirelessly to consolidate the relationship between the two countries.
“As reassurance, I firmly renew my government commitment to deepening our collaboration with you through dialogue, understanding, and a shared vision. We can successfully address our development agenda, build bridges of trust, and promote stability within our region.
“Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our belief and commitment to this enduring partnership and natural bonds of family and peaceful coexistence, which we are obliged to promote and safeguard in our national and regional interests,” the President told the gathering.
The Senegalese President expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful discussions, which ranged from regional integration and global issues to the movement of people and goods between the Gambia and Senegal.
President Sall highlighted some of the challenges facing the two countries, including demilitarizing and demarcating the border. He encouraged the ministers from both countries to continue to consult each other in order to address these challenges and promote development.
President Sall concluded by saying that the meeting had strengthened the strong bilateral cooperation between the Gambia and Senegal. He emphasized that the two countries, despite being separate, share a lot in common.