Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who has been in Gambia since Wednesday, co-chaired yesterday, in Banjul, the opening ceremony of the second session of the Senegalese-Gambian economic forum with the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Gambia, Muhammed BS Jallow. From the top of his rostrum, the Head of Government took this solemn opportunity to call for the densification and revitalization of bilateral cooperation which has existed between the two States for several decades.
Banjul, less dusty than Dakar but warmer, has hosted since yesterday, and for two days, a forum whose theme is focused on the economy, trade and investment. In short, the harmonization of the business environment in these two States. And it was the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara international conference center, adjoining the avenue which leads to the heart of Senegambia, which hosted this high-level meeting. At the opening of the said forum, in a packed room, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal, accompanied by a large delegation, first reminded the audience that Senegal and the Gambia have never stopped to be the same people united by history and by the two rivers (Casamance and Gambia). A beautiful heritage which, according to him, must be preserved at all costs for the benefit of future generations. Remaining on this dynamic, Ousmane Sonko, who co-chaired with the Vice-President of the Gambia, Muhammed BS Jallow, this second session of the Senegalese-Gambian economic, commercial and investment forum, strongly advocated for the densification of the cooperation that unites the two Nations.
In his speech delivered in Wolof, the Head of Government declared that nothing can hinder the future of these two States in terms of cooperation, investment and trade. Yesterday, in Banjul, there was much talk of revisiting the state of implementation of the directives of the last Presidential Council held in Banjul on August 1, 2023. An initiative that Ousmane Sonko welcomes. “In 2023, a Presidential Council brought together the two states. Today (yesterday), we are still here to continue the reflections. This is an opportunity for me to salute the leadership of Presidents Adama Barrow and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who continue to maintain the good relations that have always existed between the two countries. This means that each State must work to make this cooperation a reality. Our cooperation tinged with cordiality must be strengthened on a daily basis,” he preached, specifying that a commercial cooperation committee was recently organized to further revitalize the investment relationship between Senegal and the Gambia.
Transport profitable to States
On Gambian soil, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal put forward the idea of making intra-State transport a real tool for economic integration. Because, he insisted, from 2000 to 2023, commercial traffic generated 117 billion FCFA. The objective, said the Prime Minister, is to reach 500 billion FCFA in the coming years. “At this level, we note an evolution, but efforts remain to be made. The sum of 117 billion FCFA can be multiplied by five or ten. That’s our goal. We must ensure that The Gambia is useful to Senegal, the same for Senegal and in all sectors,” argued Ousmane Sonko, to loud applause from the audience at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara international conference center in Banjul.
Development is not an Olympic race, as the other said. The Head of the Senegalese government is well aware of this. On the other hand, he maintained that to bring about the emergence of the two States, it is enough to focus on and invest more in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, land, maritime and river transport, but also in tourism, hydrocarbons, industry and fishing. All these sectors, Ousmane Sonko clarified, are potential sectors. “I am convinced that we can develop our countries. With Gambia, we want a win-win partnership,” he said.
Pan-Africanist discourse for the sovereignty of the continent
Between Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and Pan-Africanism, it is a true love story. From the Gambia, where he is making a working and friendship visit on December 19 and 20, 2024, the Head of Government invited African leaders to believe in the sovereignty of Africa. Ousmane Sonko, who took advantage of his trip to Banjul to discuss their policy of systemic transformation of the country, through the “Vision Senegal 2050”, asked those in power to follow the exponential speed of development of other continents on the planet. In addition, he suggested, to strengthen everything that can contribute to making Africa a single market. Continuing his speech in front of an enthusiastic audience, the Prime Minister recalled that the 15 countries that make up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must do everything to achieve the establishment of a common market with a tariff externally in order to be more competitive. According to Ousmane Sonko, everything is happening very quickly. “Our priority is Africa, the sub-region, but also our immediate neighbor: the Gambia. We must all agree to work together to meet these major challenges,” concluded the successor of the former Prime Minister, Me Sidiki Kaba.
From our special correspondent in Banjul, Gaustin DIATTA
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