Gambia: General Fall Calls On Jammeh
Nov 17,2006 00:00
by
editor
General Abdoulaye Fall, Chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of The Gambia Alhajie Yahya AJJ Jammeh at State House.Speaking during the meeting, President Jammeh challenged General Fall and his Gambian counterpart, Col Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces to ensure that they work harmoniously towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding that would forster closer ties between the two countries and that they adhere to the principles of the document. The Gambian leader recalled that as early as 1661, the two nations were one and that efforts should be intensified in order to strengthen the cordial relations between the two nations.
President Jammeh noted that it is important for Africans to treat each other as brothers and sisters and added that it was paramount for the two countries to be honest and sincere in the interest of the two nations to maintain peace and stability emulative by other African countries. " As long as we cherish peace and are genuine in our collaborations, we will certainly achieve our goal in further consolidating our brotherly relations", he stated.
"My government spends millions on the fishing industry and about 99 per cent of those who utilise those facilities are Senegalese. If I were not interested in the development of the two countries, that will not happen", he asserted.
The Gambian leader went on to express his dissatisfaction with the current situation in Casamance, noting that Africans should do away with fighting and work together to develop the continent. He asserted that division amongst Africans is a major setback to the advancement of the continent and that it was high time for Africans to respect each other and be genuine, honest and sincere in all that they do.
President Jammeh pointed out that it is important for the two countries to be sincere and honest in their dealings with one another. He also stated that The Gambia harbours no grievances against Senegal. He cited instances when Gambian security services arrest and hand over Senegalese nationals who breach their own laws and come to The Gambia for refuge. The President also lamented over the opposite scenario where Gambian fugitives are given a safe haven in Senegal.
For his part, General Fall, said the visit was aimed at familiarising himself with his Gambian counterpart and to help in further strengthening the strong tiers between the armed forces of the two nations.
" Our intention is to smoothen the brotherly relations and we hope we will all agree to sign the memotandum of understanding and adhere to its principles. This will go a long way in helping us to consolidate the two armies by conducting joint training. It will also help us to form the majority of the proposed ECOWAS Troop. I am of the opinion that if we work together, we will succeed in securing our nations better", he concluded.
While applauding the Gambian hospitality, General Fall called for closer collaboration between the two governments.