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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 15:23:02
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Daily News Editorial: The Senegambian Situation As President Wade Visits Gambia
The Gambia and Senegal have been inextricably linked like Siamese twins. They share the same cultural, social and ethnic background. Indeed, they share before the advent of the European powers that colonized them, the same kingdoms and rulers and fiefs. Prior to independence of he two, the colonial powers allowed a free flow of goods and people and immediately after independence – Senegal in 1960 and Gambia in 1965- this facilitation was maintained.
Like all countries sharing borders, problems of security, illicit trade and general suspicion started surfacing and relationship of the two countries from independence up to now registered its ups and downs depending on who are leader in the two capitals and the geo politics in the two countries. Admittedly, there have been more ups than downs since the two leaders of the sister countries both had the will and foresight to maintain and strengthen friendly relations. As a matter of fact, since 1965, moves have been made to go beyond just maintaining friendly relations. The creation of the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat (SGS) in 1970 and the Senegambian Confederation in 1982 were the high water marks in Senegambian relations. Both of these were genuine and far reaching attempts to bring the two peoples together. Unfortunately, the SGS was dissolved after the full implementation of the Confederation and the Confederation itself broke up in 1988.
Lately, this relationship has been at low ebb with accusations from the Gambia that Senegal is harbouring dissident Gambian elements. And recently, a letter was published in one of the local newspapers here, purported to have been written by a Gambia dissident. We have seen visits from Senegalese officials to the Gambian capital and such visits can only be seen as a bid on both sides to normalize the situation.
The umbilical cord that links the two countries and peoples cannot be severed by political considerations however formidable. We are condemned by history, and ethnicity, religion and culture to live together and work together. Leaders come and go but the people remain. If we cannot unite and be one people in the political sense, let each of us be our brother’s keeper. Our region needs, Africa calls for it and the world is in dire need for it.
The Gambia and Senegal have seen glorious days together and with good will and sincerity can come again. We look forward therefore, to a fruitful encounter of our two leaders and we look forward to breaking down of all superficial obstacles that have been placed in the way of peace and good neighbourliness and the opening of a new page that will usher in progress and peace for our two peoples.
Source: Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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