By: Mariama Njie
The Gambian National Assembly members Tuesday endorsed a parliamentary friendship with Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania legislative houses in order to help establish and strengthen the already existing cordial ties between these countries and The Gambia.
House majority leader Honorable Kebba K. Barrow said The Gambia recently signed two cooperation agreements with the Kingdom of Morocco in the field of health and diplomatic trainings.
“The second cooperation agreement is in the area of capacity building for young Gambian’s diplomats, this will further enhance their character and capacity in pursuing Gambia’s interest through proactive diplomacy,” he stated.
“The Gambia and Senegal share the same languages, religion and ethnic background, and a friendship group between the two countries will further strengthen our bond and also the National Assembly of Senegal is willing to work with the National Assembly of The Gambia,” he told fellow lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Honorable Halifa Sallah of Serekunda said the relationships among parliamentarians would reflect people to people relationship, “there is no doubt that Africa needs to integrate and parliament must be powered to be a big house and the more we build relationship with our colleagues elsewhere the more we will contribute to that integration, I support the motion.”
Member for Jarra East, Honorable Sainey Touray described the agreement as timely saying “there is a need to build partnerships and friendship with other nations.”
He said: “It is clearly stated in the motion that such will increase boundaries within national and foreign affairs. No nation is an island we must be each other’s keeper and with this parliamentary friendship it will help us to integrate with our brothers and sisters in other nations.”
Member for Talinding, Honorable Fatoumata Jawara, said large numbers of Gambians are in Mauritania seeking Islamic knowledge and there are large numbers of Mauritania who are looking for better life in The Gambia as well.
She reminded the members of parliament that going through the other part which stated that with the parliamentary relationship, it will smoothing people to people relationship, “I think we need to buttress more on that because our young migrants who passes through Mauritania do face serious challenges. With the inter-parliamentary relationship we will agree on some of these issues in making sure our young migrants do not face challenges passing through Mauritania,” any more..
