By Makutu Manneh
The governments of The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at eliminating unauthorized fees imposed on travelers crossing their shared border, officials said on Monday.
The agreement, signed on March 23, commits both countries to ending informal charges levied on their citizens during entry and exit at official crossing points. The accord was reached during a visit by Prof. José Carlos Macedo Monteiro, director general of Guinea-Bissau’s migration and borders agency, to his Gambian counterpart, Ebrima Mboob, director general of the Gambia Immigration Department.
In a statement, the Gambian immigration authorities described the agreement as a step toward strengthening regional cooperation and addressing long-standing complaints from travelers about unofficial payments at border posts.
Officials said the discussions focused on migration management and border governance, with particular emphasis on improving compliance with the Economic Community of West African States free movement protocol, which guarantees citizens of member states the rights to entry, residence, and establishment across the region.
The two sides also conducted a joint assessment of conditions at border crossings, identifying obstacles to the smooth movement of people and goods. The agreement outlines measures to address those challenges and promote what officials described as “safe, regular, and orderly travel” between the neighboring countries.
Authorities in both countries framed the accord as part of broader efforts to deepen regional integration, citing the close economic, cultural, and historical ties linking their populations.
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