By Kebba AF Touray
The authorities of the Gambia and Senegal have moved to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Banjul and Dakar as citizens of two states who have shared numerous things in common, in the areas of religion, tradition, and relationships.
The move was demonstrated by the recently concluded visit by the Defense Minister of Senegal, General Birame Diop, who was in the Gambia on a working visit during which he met and held discussions with Gambian authorities, including President Barrow.
Defence Minister Diop on Tuesday, 17 April 2025, visited the Gambian parliament and held a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, key among them was Hon. Seedy Njie, the Deputy Speaker, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Defense Committee of the Legislature.
Talking to the media after the closed-door meeting, Defence Minister Diop informed waiting journalists that he discussed the critical nature of the relationship between the two countries, as well as the significance of the two states working hand-in-hand to make sure that “we keep reinforcing the relationship.” He was quick to hail the critical roles played by the predecessors of the two countries, who, he said, were able to create the enabling environment “we need to move forward, which includes organs and mechanisms that facilitate the collaboration.”
He said they discussed the necessity for the authorities of the two countries to revisit the enabling environment that has already been created on a regular basis, in order to take the necessary measures and rectify what needs to be corrected, and to reorient and adapt to the current realities.
“We highlighted the necessity for us to be accompanied in what we are trying to achieve by our political leaders, executives and also our people, because if there is no ownership by the people, it will be difficult for us to be successful in a sustainable way,” Defence Minister Diop said, adding that they also discussed about the significant role of parliament in whatever is initiated in the two states, particularly in the defence and security sectors. According to Mr. Diop, it is the National Assembly that serves as people’s watchdogs on the actions of the executive and to evaluate the implementation of all public policies that ‘‘we are trying to implement.”
“We agreed to see how, in a reasonable period of time, we can facilitate the connection between the defence committee of the Gambian parliament and that of their Senegalese counterpart,” he said.
Dilating on the roles of parliament, Deputy Speaker Njie said the visit is of great significance as representatives of the people, noting that “whatever laws, policies or agreements that the two nations share in the areas of defence and security, the beneficiaries are the people”.
“That is why we appreciate the visit of General Diop and I also commend the leadership of the two countries, for the enabling environment, because the two countries must work together and in general, we have looked at the realities on the ground regarding what needs to be done; and how supportive all of us as people and officials could do,” he said.
