A two man delegation from the Commission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently concluded a fact finding mission to Banjul on the developments of the border crisis between the Gambia and Senegal. According to information gathered, the two man delegation had held discussions with officials from institutions, including the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), ministries of Trade and Foreign Affairs, Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Gambia-Senegalo Secretariat and other key players in the trade and transport sectors, to name a few.
The purpose of the mission, according to the source, is to hear from the Gambian authorities and other players on the issue for onward transmission to the ECOWAS Commission. This is said to be a diplomatic approach to prevent the further deterioration of the situation.
It is also said that the Gambia wrote a protest letter to the ECOWAS Commission asking for their intervention. The source also indicated that the ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive its President which should be nominated by Benin and that as at now, it is the ECOWAS Commission Vice-President, Mr. Edward Singhatey, nominated by the Gambia, who is overseeing the position.
The two man delegation will undertake a similar mission to Senegal and are expected to submit its final report to the Commission for further action.
