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Momodou
Denmark
11699 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Feb 2011 : 14:41:47
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The Point Editorial: A major diplomatic breakthrough
Monday, February 28, 2011
A major diplomatic breakthrough has been achieved in the relationship between The Gambia and Senegal, following a two-day conclave in Dakar last Tuesday between the two countries headed by the Senegalese Prime Minister and the Gambian Vice President.
As highlighted in this paper, it was reported that the forum was conducted in an atmosphere of maturity, commitment, dedication, openness and, above all, frankness as each of the issues were discussed and scrutinized extensively, and that the areas covered were political, security and social matters, the establishment of the Senegalo-Gambian permanent secretariat, economic and commercial matters, as well as the construction of a bridge at Yelli Tenda–Bamba Tenda over the River Gambia, among others.
This latest development could be described as a giant diplomatic success going by recent developments in bilateral relations, which caused lot of anxiety among the people of the two countries.
It is, indeed, heart-warming that, as neighbours, we are capable of resolving our own problems without any outside intervention.
We, therefore, wish to commend the Senegalese Prime Minister and the Gambian Vice President and the two Presidents, Yahya Jammeh and Abdoulaye Wade, in particular, for their efforts in the interest of sub-regional and continental peace.
We also urge both Presidents Jammeh and Wade to be meeting, at least once every six months, either in Banjul or Dakar, to discuss and trash out any misunderstanding between the two countries.
It has been said by many that The Gambia and Senegal are permanently condemned by nature to live together.
In our view, we should now seek to transform this situation from being a permanent condemnation to one in which we see ourselves as being permanently blessed that we are such close neighbours.
It is only our former colonial masters who divided us for their selfish ends, by demarcating borders between us. Yet it is apparent that our family ties, in fact, consanguinity and common heritage cannot be demarcated by anyone or by any human force.
Thus, against this backdrop, it is prudent for us to always strive to strengthen our cooperation and solidarity, come what may.
The media, we want to point out, has a vital role to play in this by endeavouring, at all times, to report objectively on issues affecting the two countries, as anything other than that would not help in any way.
According to reports, the meeting agreed on the appointment of the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary for the Permanent Secretariat to be filled on a rotational basis.
This will, no doubt, promote avenues for closer consultations and contacts, at all levels of the two states, by providing a channel for timely communication and preventing any misunderstanding between our government authorities and peoples.
"The bonds that unite another person to our self exist only in our mind."
Marcel Prourt
Source: The Point
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11699 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2011 : 14:43:46
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Joint Senegalo-Gambian consultative meeting ends in Dakar
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Vice President and Minister of Women Affairs, Isatou Njie-Saidy, last week headed a high-powered Gambian delegation to the second Senegalo-Gambian joint consultative meeting held in Dakar on Tuesday.
The Vice President and delegation was met on arrival by the Senegalese Prime Minister Sulayman Ndene Ndiaye, ministers and top officials of the Senegalese government.
The climax of the opening of business, according to news on GRTS, was the formal addresses by both the Prime Minister and the Gambian Vice-President. Both countries presented high calibers of officials as the issues on the agenda tabled directly relate to their various portfolios.
A two-day forum was conducted in an atmosphere of maturity, commitment, dedication, openness and, above all, frankness as each of the issues was discussed and scrutinized extensively harping on political, security and social matters, the establishment of the Senegalo-Gambian permanent secretariat, economic and commercial matters, and the construction of a bridge at Yelli Tenda–Bamba Tenda over the River Gambia, among others.
After marathon sessions, the two delegations agreed on the appointment of the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary for the Permanent Secretariat to be filled on a rotational basis. However, the Gambian side proposed amendments to reduce the five-year tenure of office of the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary to three years renewable once. The Gambia’s proposal on this has to be channelled through diplomatic means and its draft amendments for consideration.
On security and defence, the two sides expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in matters of security and effectively combat cross-border crimes and its related issues.
On immigration matters, the Senegalese government expressed deep appreciation to the Government of The Gambia for the measures it has adopted to facilitate the stay of Senegalese nationals in the country and furthermore their exemption from paying residential permit in The Gambia.
On trade and economic affairs, the two delegations expressed satisfaction over the expert meeting held in October last year to assess the implementation of protocol agreement signed in April 2008.
On the construction of the River Gambia bridge project, the Gambian side reaffirmed that the bridge project is a national programme which shall be owned and managed by The Gambia. However, since the bridge would serve as corridor for integration, the Gambian side wants the Senegalese Government to support the seeking for funding from the regional financing envelope of ECOWAS, EU, ADB and others.
Agriculture, air transport, the environment, customs and river transport were all dilated on. Closing the meeting, Senegalese Prime Minister Sulayman Ndene Ndiaye highlighted the uniqueness of the excellent relations between the two countries, and expressed Senegal’s commitments to implement the agreements.
For her part, the Gambian Vice President, Isatou Njie-Saidy, reiterated the characteristics that bind the two countries.
Source: The Point |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11699 Posts |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2011 : 16:34:57
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"On the construction of the River Gambia bridge project, the Gambian side reaffirmed that the bridge project is a national programme which shall be owned and managed by The Gambia. However, since the bridge would serve as corridor for integration, the Gambian side wants the Senegalese Government to support the seeking for funding from the regional financing envelope of ECOWAS, EU, ADB and others."
In other words, OK, you can build us a bridge which we will control, we have no money so can you get the loans to build this bridge for us ! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2011 : 20:59:05
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| Toubab, sometime you are very difficult to ignore. No where does it say "build us a bridge" but somehow you managed to find it somewhere. As far as we can all read it says help us in seeking funding from other entities. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2011 : 21:26:09
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Firstly ,Thank you so much for replying to my post, when you write "Toubab, sometime you are very difficult to ignore."
I am so happy that you bothered to reply 
I think this is what you mean, "which shall be owned and managed by The Gambia." Which I understand to mean, build it, and pay for it,also "the Gambian side wants the Senegalese Government to support the seeking for funding from the regional financing envelope of ECOWAS, EU, ADB and others."
Do you understand something different ? If you are saying that nowhere does it say "build us a bridge " then what you say is accurate.
quote:
Originally posted by mansasulu
Toubab, sometime you are very difficult to ignore. No where does it say "build us a bridge" but somehow you managed to find it somewhere. As far as we can all read it says help us in seeking funding from other entities.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 28 Feb 2011 21:27:38 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 19:13:34
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| You probably dont know where this bridge is located do you? This is not like the channel tunnel where two sovereign countries are connected. The laws of sovereingty are going to be severely constrained if senegal can lay ownership claims for a bridge that is totally within the boundaries of the Gambia unless they are willing to cough up a portion of the cost to build that bridge. All they are being asked to do is assist in seeking funding because they have a vested interest in cutting across Gambia than going around. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Momodou
Denmark
11699 Posts |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 21:55:26
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mansasulu,you are right ,I do not know the exact location of the proposed bridge,or the length of such a bridge,however Google maps does:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gambia,Yelli+Tenda%E2%80%93Bamba+Tenda&aq=&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=12.918331,28.256836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Yelli+tenda+Baba+tenda+Ferry,+Bamba+Tenda,+Upper+Baddibu,+North+Bank+Division,+The+Gambia&ll=13.513081,-15.570374&spn=0.041477,0.055189&t=h&z=14
I read your concerns about Senegal's reasons for wanting a bridge and the effect that such a stable crossing point would mean in fuel saving and inconvienence ,I draw your attention to the border closure that occoured recently and the problems for both countries that that caused.
I had not appriciated that the location of the proposed bridge was TOTALLY on Gambian soil,(that is how I read your posting)in which case it is obvious that Gambia should have TOTAL control over the bridge,and funding should be sought by Gambia and not by Senegal acting on Gambia's behalf,if Senegal wants to put money into the project fine,there are also political reasons involved here, again I only know what is in the public domain concerning this.
You appear to know a great deal about the proposed bridge.I for one would welcome any information that you may wish to discuss,I am not an expert on anything in Gambia,if you are a Gambian then you know MUCH more than myself.
Please continue this important topic.
Do you agree that the shambolic ferry system that exists at the moment is the ideal way to move lorries over water,from Senegal to Gambia and Gambia Senegal ?
quote:
Originally posted by mansasulu
You probably dont know where this bridge is located do you? This is not like the channel tunnel where two sovereign countries are connected. The laws of sovereingty are going to be severely constrained if senegal can lay ownership claims for a bridge that is totally within the boundaries of the Gambia unless they are willing to cough up a portion of the cost to build that bridge. All they are being asked to do is assist in seeking funding because they have a vested interest in cutting across Gambia than going around.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 01 Mar 2011 23:32:37 |
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