| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Jan 2011 : 17:52:47
|
Culled from The Point
-------------
Gambian Foreign Minister visits Senegal
Thursday, January 06, 2011
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Relations and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Momodou Tangara, Tuesday visited neighbouring Senegal, where he met with his Senegalese counterpart, Madicke Niang, according to APS the Senegalese news agency.
“The Gambia and Senegal is a nation with two states. It rests on us today to go beyond linguistic and geographical cleavages,’’ Dr Tangara told journalists in Dakar during a press conference with his Senegalese counterpart.
“We are constantly in consultation. Therefore, calculations and the speculations do not make us stumble. We know where we are going, and we know that we have an objective. It is to reinforce the relationship and friendship between Gambia and Senegal,” Dr Tangara who was on a day’s working visit in Dakar declared.
He added: “We will harness ourselves to carry out this objective, to have a sincere relationship where there is no suspicion. I think that with the joint committees which are provided, one will put all on the table, and nobody will try to influence things in a negative way.”
Dr Tangara went on to talk about the links between the two presidents, President Yahya Jammeh and Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, “because they are two convinced Pan Africanists who must be able to get along on the essentials. But, one requires that those who are around them give them the possibility to be able to work together.”
Sometimes, Dr. Tangara went on, we have many people around our entourage who are hawkers of false information, with no acknowledged intentions, and who sow confusion.
He told journalists in Dakar that regular consultations between the two ministers of foreign affairs can help “to cut the grass under the feet’” of the saboteurs.
In connection with the Casamance issue, the Gambian foreign minister said Gambian borders are protected to prevent entry into the Gambia of MFDC rebels (of the Democratic Movement of the Forces of Casamance), or the spilling over of the rebellion in the south of Senegal into The Gambia, which could operate against the national army or affect the civilian population.
On the issue of the “Iranian weapons’ seizure” in Nigeria, for which Senegal required a major explanation from Iran, Dr. Tangara revealed that the subject could not be eluded, at the time of his meeting with his Senegalese counterpart.
However, he gave assurance that they were not intended for The Gambia, but added that it was not the direct cause of the recent decision taken by The Gambia to break diplomatic relations with Iran.
“It is a step which was in the offing for a very long time. It has been more than one year, since we did not have any more an embassy in Tehran. In fact, since I became minister, I did not meet the foreign minister of Iran,” he further told the journalists.
Source: APS
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2011 : 17:59:44
|
Gambia, Senegal renew commitment to existing ties
Thursday, January 06, 2011
 Momodou Tangara, the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad last Tuesday visited the Republic of Senegal under the invitation of his Senegalese counterpart, Maitre Madicke Niang.
A Joint Communiqué issued at the end of the visit indicated that it was meant to further strengthen the existing co-operation and friendly relations between the two countries.
Below is the full text of the communiqué.
At the invitation of His Excellency Maître Madické Niang, Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Senegal, Honourable Dr. Mamadou TANGARA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia undertook a working visit to the Republic of Senegal, on Tuesday, 4th January 2011. The purpose of the visit was geared towards strengthening the existing co-operation and friendly relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Honourable Dr. Mamadou Tangara was also received in audience by His Excellency Maître Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal, to convey a special message from His Excellency Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhaji Yahya A.J.J JAMMEH, President of the Republic of The Gambia. Honourable Minister TANGARA also met with His Excellency Maître Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye, Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal during which the latter made a proposal to host the next Joint Consultative Committee meeting not later than end of February 2011.
The two Foreign Ministers had a tête-à-tête discussion during which they reviewed the following issues:
• The status of implementation of the outcome of the 5th Session of the Ministerial Joint Commission Meeting between Senegal and The Gambia.
• The terms and conditions of the Consultative Committee meeting to be co-chaired by Their Excellencies Madam Dr. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president of the Republic of The Gambia and Maitre Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye, Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal.
• The process for the establishment of the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat.
• With respect to the conclusions of the 5th Session of the Joint Ministerial Co-Commission, the two Ministers noted with satisfaction, the efforts made by the two Governments to facilitate the stay of the nationals living on either sides of the two countries borders.
• They also welcomed the significant progress achieved with regard to the conclusions of the meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee, held in Banjul on May 10, 2010, as well as the initiatives developed at the border area concerning the access to medical care.
• In addition, the two Ministers pledged to pursue efforts aimed at accelerating the implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission, especially those relating to: the establishment of a network of Senegalese and Gambian women entrepreneurs; and experience sharing the areas of hydrocarbons, domestic fuel and renewable energies.
The two sides also decided to cooperate and work on initiating joint projects in all areas, especially: In the area of Health – to promote experience sharing in the form of twinning, particularly in the health districts located in border areas; Electrification of cross-border areas by power companies and rural electrification agencies of both countries, based on existing funding opportunities at ECOWAS; and Education- With respect to the Consultative Commission, the two Ministers reiterated their commitment to making this institution, a forum for dialogue and consultation to monitor, in the interest of both countries, issues related to their economic and social development.
In this regard, they promised to make every effort to meet by the end of February 2011, as proposed by His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Senegal. They also reaffirmed their willingness to continually work together to strengthen the existing fruitful cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries, particularly through the establishment, by the end of February 2011, of the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat. In this regard, both Ministers mentioned the principle of a rotating chairmanship after a period of three years, renewable once.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2011 : 20:57:01
|
"both Ministers mentioned the principle of a rotating chairmanship after a period of three years, renewable once."
OK they mentioned it but the answer,unspoken of course  was, "Non"  (no franglais here thank you  ) |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 06 Jan 2011 20:58:02 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
