“Rumours of problems between the two countries not true” - Wade

The Senegalese President, Abdoulie Wade has refuted reports of strained relations between The Gambia and Senegal. He said the two countries continue to have good relations.  

President Wade was addressing Senegalese residents in The Gambia during a one day official visit to the tiny West African country.

"There is no difference between The Gambia and Senegal since we are countries that share the boarder, and The Gambia and Senegal have good relationship which will be nurtured....", president Wade said.

He added: "The recent rounds of rumours being spread all over the world that Senegal and The Gambia have a problem are not true."

The purposed of president Wade's visit was to cement the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as to discuss issues related to the development of both  countries.

He called on his compatriots residents to desist from any activities that would make their stay difficult in The Gambia.

He also advised them to be law abiding and to fully and dutifully respect the laws of The Gambia, noting the fruitful bilateral and deep cultural relations between both countries.

Wade's visit came barely two months after the Daily Observer in Banjul published a letter allegedly written by Kukoie Samba Sanyang to Mr. Wade, seeking help to ‘restore democracy in the Gambia’.

Kukoi, a Gambian dissident was the brainchild of the 1981 failed coup attempt of the Government of former president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara.

It could be recalled that in 2006, the same newspaper published a story captioned ‘Senegal Continues to Destabilise Gambia’, in which it was alleged that the Senegalese Interior Minister at the time has been having series of meetings with Gambian dissidents such as Sana Sabally, formed Chief of Defense Staff Colonel Ndure Cham, among others.     

Senegal has long accused the Gambia of supporting Casamance rebels in its southern province. 

Joint communiqué to strengthen bilateral ties

The two presidents also signed a joint communiqué on peace and security between the Republics of The Gambia and Senegal, which stated that the two leaders during a tête-à-tête discussion, reviewed the political and economic situation of the countries, the developments on the African continent, as well as other issues of concern.

"The two Heads of State expressed the need to consolidate friendship and cooperation between the two countries. They also reiterated their resolve to work closely for the benefit of the two nations," the communiqué stated.

They also reaffirmed their determination to undertake bilateral and regional actions in combating coastal erosion. In discussing issues of common concern in the sub-region and the African continent, the two leaders stressed their conviction that there can be no internal stability without regional peace, and therefore, vowed to undertake the  cooperation in the fight against all forms of threat to peace, security and progress in the sub-region and in Africa.

They also reiterated the importance of justice, tolerance and respect for the rule of law to global peace and security.

Both leaders shared a similar points of view on the need to achieve African unity. In the course of the visit, discussions between the two heads of State and officials on both sides resulted in the following communiqué:

- Gambia to waive Alien Cards for Senegalese nationals residents in the country

- The construction of a bridge over the River Gambia - the bridge will be managed by The Gambia.

- Constructively revive the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat

The communiqué further pointed out that both sides have agreed on the convening of the next Joint Commission between the two countries in April 2010, as well as convene a Consultative Commission between the two countries to be jointly headed by the Vice President of The Gambia and the Prime Minister of Senegal.

They also agreed on regular consultations between ministers and Senior government officials on both with a view to reinforcing bilateral ties and also resolve to jointly settle border differences between the two countries through a Consultative Border Commission set up by the two governments to that effect.

"The two sides signed an agreement on security matters to ensure ... peace and security in both countries," the communiqué said.