President Basirou Diomaye Faye and President Adama Barrow.
By Landing Ceesay
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the newly elected President of Senegal, embarked on his second state visit since his historic win in the March 2024 Presidential Election, this time to The Gambia. His arrival at Banjul International Airport was greeted by his Gambian counterpart, President Adama Barrow.
Before his visit to The Gambia, President Diomaye Faye had already undertaken a state visit to Mauritania. During their closed-door meeting at the State House of The Gambia, the two leaders engaged in discussions covering various aspects of the Senegal-Gambia relationship.
A joint communiqué released by both offices highlighted their commitment to elevate cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of the Presidential Council in this endeavor. President Barrow congratulated President Diomaye Faye on his election victory and expressed optimism about the progressive initiatives of Senegal’s new government.
“The two Heads of State held a consultative meeting to review the status of the historic bilateral relations between The Gambia and Senegal and, in this regard, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the established Presidential Council aimed at raising, to a strategic level, the cooperation between the two countries. His Excellency President Adama Barrow congratulated President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for his resounding election victory and his inauguration as the 5th Head of State of the Republic of Senegal and wished him great success in the implementation of the progressive programmes of his recently constituted government,” the communiqué revealed.
The communiqué underscored the satisfaction of both leaders with the current state of bilateral relations, acknowledging the historical, geographical, and cultural ties that bind Senegal and The Gambia. They pledged to intensify efforts to implement agreements covering security, defense, trade, education, and other sectors.
“The two Leaders reaffirmed the firm commitment of their governments to continue to work together to advance the excellent bilateral relations that happily exist between the two sister Republics and in this regard agreed to intensify consultations between the authorities of the two governments to implement the Agreements signed on security, defence, forestry and wildlife management, trade, air travel, education, and the judiciary.
“The two Heads of State also discussed issues and developments at regional, continental and global levels and agreed to continue consultations and cooperation on issues of shared interest. The two Leaders recognized the two countries’ contributions to peace, security and development through the Economy Community of the West Africa (ECOWAS), the African Union Organisation (AUO, the United Nations Organisation(UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), etc,” the joint communiqué stated.
Furthermore, they discussed regional and global issues, affirming their commitment to cooperation on matters of mutual interest through organisations like ECOWAS, AUO, UN, and OIC. President Barrow extended an invitation to President Diomaye Faye for the upcoming OIC Summit in Banjul, which was graciously accepted.
“His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye expressed his heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency President Adama BARROW and the Government and people of The Gambia for the warm and fraternal welcome as well as the tremendous hospitality accorded to him and his delegation and congratulated His Excellency President Barrow in advance for the hosting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) Summit,” the Communiqué mentioned.
President Diomaye Faye expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality extended by President Barrow and the Gambian people, agreeing to host the next session of the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council in Dakar. Both leaders concluded by reaffirming their commitment to regular consultations and cooperation for the mutual benefit of their nations.
“His Excellency Mr.Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed appreciation and acceptance to attend the summit in Banjul. The two Heads of State agreed to have regular consultations on issues of mutual interest and to have the next Session of the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council in Dakar, Republic of Senegal at dates to be decided later,” the Communiqué revealed.