Foreign Minister Njie: Nine Cooperation Agreements Signed During Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council

By Makutu Manneh

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Sering Modou Njie, has revealed that The Gambia and Senegal signed nine cooperation agreements during the recent Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council meeting, describing the session as one of the most significant engagements between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking on Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), Minister Njie said the council produced concrete outcomes to deepen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

“I think this was one of the most important and significant Presidential Council meetings where you have realized nine cooperation agreements signed at the same time,” he said.

According to the minister, experts from both countries met ahead of the council to review progress since the previous session and to develop two key roadmaps, which were subsequently presented to President Adama Barrow and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

He explained that the first roadmap focuses on defence and security, diplomacy, and legal affairs, while the second covers economic cooperation and other strategic sectors.

Njie noted that both presidents welcomed the experts’ recommendations and emphasized the importance of implementation, with clear timelines attached to each initiative.

“The implementation aspect of it, each having a different timeline showing the real commitment of the two counties in terms of how we can improve and enhance our relationship.”

On energy cooperation, the foreign minister said that The Gambia and Senegal agreed to work more closely to advance their partnership in the sector. He noted that The Gambia already maintains a bilateral energy agreement with Senegal and is also a member of the Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du fleuve Gambie (OMVG) energy framework.

The Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council serves as a high-level bilateral mechanism designed to coordinate cooperation and address issues of mutual interest between The Gambia and Senegal.

The latest council meeting underscores the continued commitment of both governments to strengthening ties and advancing cooperation in key areas of shared development.