Africa-Press – Gambia. Mr Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Defence, has said that understanding between the armed forces of The Gambia and Senegal through renewed cooperation and partnership is the way forward to address crime and insecurity in the region.
Defence Minister Mr Njie, who was speaking recently at a meeting of the joint military committee between the two countries, said: “I therefore urge you to take this meeting very seriously and contribute constructively to the deliberations.”
At the bilateral level, the two countries enjoy close and cordial relations as development partners. “These relations have evolved into a strategic partnership, based on shared democratic values and increased convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.”Based on the friendly and fraternal relations existing between our two countries, he continued, many bilateral agreements as well as many protocols and memoranda of understanding have been signed concerning various sectors of our economy, starting from the Agreement on Cooperation in Defense and Security between the Republic of Gambia and the Republic of Senegal, signed in March 2017.
The Protocol on Operational Arrangements for the Implementation of the Right to Cross-Border Pursuits and Joint or Combined Patrols, he recalled, was signed on September 12, 2018.”These agreements and protocols aim to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, and the need to promote and consolidate peace and security in both countries, in the mutual interest of our two peoples.”
Minister Njie added that the establishment of the Joint Military Committees and Joint Defence and Security Committees was recommended during the third presidential council meeting held in the country.
“These committees can contribute to building confidence between the security agencies of the two countries. They can always intervene to defuse tensions and agree on common Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), especially on issues related to security missions such as joint patrols, combined patrols or joint operations.”
“Under the Continuation Protocol, the Joint Military Defence and Security Committees will continue to meet to review the defence and security situation in the general area of the two countries and to agree on a common approach to address the issues head on.””Both parties recommended that at the level of the permanent secretariat, a financing mechanism be put in place to finance the identified activities. The establishment of communication channels essential for the operationalization of the agreements and protocols as well as the activities related to them.”
Defence Minister Njie added: “Both countries reaffirmed their determination to ensure that dissidents or subversive elements of either state are not harboured or allowed to use their territory to destabilize the other. Training and capacity building of the Gambian defence and security services has been requested by the Gambian side.”
“Both parties strongly recommend the assignment of a defense attaché to the Gambian High Commission in Dakar to facilitate the monitoring and implementation of cooperation agreements. With this in mind, focal points have been identified: For defense and security, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense and for the army, the Senegalese defense attaché in Gambia.
“Therefore, the fruitful bilateral cooperation that exists between Gambia and Senegal is a reminder of the great sacrifices made by both countries for peace, security and stability.
“The meeting creates a platform for our two armed forces to come together and come up with a roadmap for the implementation of the already signed Military and Defence Agreement. This could not be more timely given the dynamic security environment we find ourselves in today and may face in the future.”
“This forum should result in a framework for renewed security cooperation and partnership, capable of addressing security threats and preventing criminals from using the Senegambia region as a safe haven.”
“Our two presidents have a fraternal and friendly relationship. It is therefore our responsibility to maintain and preserve it by fully committing ourselves to the cause.”
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