EDITORIAL
WE STAND BY OUR UTTERANCES ON THE GAMBIA/SENEGAL BORDER IMPASSE
Octoger 9, 2005
We are once again vindicated on the much talked about Gambia/Senegal
border crisis. Our recent assertion that parties engaged in the border
impasse will likely go back to the drawing board to chart way forward to
settle the dispute has been confirmed to be true.

A major news agency called "Africast" reported recently that
"Representatives from Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Senegal will meet on
cross-border cooperation among the three countries on 24 October in
Ziguinchor, southern Senegal, a source revealed here Thursday."

Africast went as far as quoting Laurent Bossar, an official of the Sahel
and West Africa Club (CSAO) who said the meeting would be an opportunity
for more than 100 representatives of civil society, economic operators and
State delegates to discuss ways of strengthening trade among the three
countries.

According to Africast, "the three countries share borders and Gambia`s
recent decision to impose a 100 percent hike in the fares at its ferry
crossing into Senegal caused a protracted strike by Senegalese lorry
operators, which also affected Guinea Bissau."

As rightly indicated by this news agency the border impasse is taking an
international dimension. While impoverished Gambia is bearing the brunt of
the crisis, neighbouring country Guinea Bissau is also feeling the pinch.

We never disputed the fact that The Gambia is the economic mouth piece for
some of these countries as a good number of goods are usually transited
through The Gambia to other West African countries. Therefore, if Senegal
closes its border, it means a total halt on economic activities in the
sub-region. It is also imperative to note that both The Gambia and Senegal
cannot operate without the other. We need Senegal and they also need us.
By and large The Gambia stands to loose more if the border impasse
continues to go unabated. This is the reality and we must accept it.

It is our contention that the Jammeh government had not done much to
tackle the border crisis. As the saying goes "you don't bite the hand that
feeds you." We are not implying in anyway that Senegal is feeding The
Gambia. What we are saying here is that it doesn't make any sense for our
country to develop strain relationship with Senegal, a country we had
common cultural heritage and historical family ties. It is also imperative
to note that The Gambia derived a good number of its revenue from taxes
levelled against Senegalese Nationals. Senegalese are contributing
immensely to our scio economic development. This is confirmed through
their cross border trade and local commercial activities in The Gambia.

There shouldn't be any dispute between the two countries. We should
continue to be "each brothers keepers" and not to behave other wise. Yahya
Jammeh and his irresponsible government should stop sawing seeds of
discord and find a lasting solution to this crisis.

The Gambia used to have excellent bilateral relationship with neighbouring
Senegal under Jawara's regime. It was because of such strong ties that
former "Gendarmeries" such as Yahya Jammeh and others benefited from a
military training in Dakar. The Senegalese trained Yahya and therefore he
cannot boast in their eyes. Our country benefited greatly from Senegal and
we must accept this fact.

Yahya should not be deceived by the few soldiers following him day in day
out. The reality is that Senegal is militarily ahead of us and we should
not advocate for any differences between the two sister countries.
Gambians should tell Yahya Jammeh that national interest overrides his
personal interest. All Yahya is interested about, is to line his pocket
with money and not the welfare of the impoverished Gambians. There
shouldn't be any border dispute between the two countries, as rightly
stated by Binneh Minteh, one of our senior Editorial staff. Jammeh and his
government will fail miserably if they want to continue with their
unpatriotic move to impose such exorbitant taxes against Senegalese.

What happened to President Obasanjo's border mediation? Could VP Isatou
Njie Saidy volunteer information? We learnt that she represented The
Gambia at the Lagos border meeting. We are pretty sure that if the said
talks were successful, the Vice President and her boss Jammeh will not
hesitate to use GRTS microphones to brag once again. It is evident that
the Senegalese transport unionists have turned down Gambia's recent ferry
fares tariff. The Senegalese say they mean business and will continue to
stick to their guns. What about Yahya and his shameful government? Jammeh
needs to be realistic with his dealings with our neighbours. There is no
room for enmity. Governments go and come, but The Gambia will continue to
remain as The Gambia. Yahya should take note of this fact.

We salute all forces trying to find a lasting solution to this crisis. We
urge President Obasanjo to tell Jammeh the truth. Jammeh is not behaving
as a normal human being and we expect the continent's leaders to tell him
to respect ECOWAS protocols. We rest our case.



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