The relationship between Senegal and The Gambia is flourishing. The two countries are now looking in the same direction since the advent of President Adama Barrow. In power since 2017, he has accomplished the remarkable feat of ending 22 years of dictatorship. Since the fall of Yahya Jammeh, The Gambia has entered a democratic spring. Freedom of expression and freedom of association, among other advancements, are hallmarks of the Barrow era. With Yahya Jammeh behind them, Gambians no longer fear expressing themselves in public spaces. The separation of powers, good governance, the rule of law, and democracy have become a reality in The Gambia since the 2017 revolution.
Under President Barrow’s leadership, the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption have been significantly strengthened, thereby restoring public trust in Gambia’s institutions. The leaders of both countries communicate regularly and visit each other at the slightest opportunity.
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A Dynamic and Exemplary Cooperation
In terms of infrastructure, the completion of the Senegambia Bridge in 2019 has facilitated the movement of goods and people between the two countries, which are linked by geography, history, culture, and a shared destiny. Their exemplary cooperation extends to strategic areas such as defense, security, justice, consular affairs, tourism, and energy.
The Permanent Senegambian Secretariat, the Bilateral Presidential Council, and the Economic, Trade, and Investment Forum, among others, reflect the commitment of both states to perpetuate and strengthen their solid socio-economic ties. In commercial terms, Gambia is among Senegal’s main clients in the ECOWAS zone. The value of trade between the two countries was estimated at 113 billion CFA francs in 2023.
The excellence of these good neighborly relations is a clear testament that Gambia and Senegal form one and the same family.
