By: Nyima Sillah
The conspicuous absence of opposition leaders from the recently-concluded Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council meeting in Banjul has been sharply criticized by the Gambia Action Party’s deputy leader, hinting that such high-level bilateral engagement could be enriched by the participation of the opposition.
The President of Senegal Macky Sall jetted into Banjul last week for the three-day 3rd council meeting, which was described by the Gambia government, as a turning point in the Gambia-Senegal relations.
During the high-profile meeting, attended by President Adama Barrow and ministers from The Gambia and their equivalents from Senegal, agreements of far and wide-reaching implications on Gambia’s wellbeing were signed.
Bilateral agreements on trade, security, taxation, and judicial cooperation, among others, were entered into.
“As counterparts in the signings of the various documentations in the context of promoting multilateral ties between the two countries, such agreements are significant and can be a milestone in setting the right political trajectory,” Bayo argued in an exclusive interview with The Voice.
He contended that opposition party leaders should’ve taken center stage in the signing of these agreements as governments in waiting.
According to GAP’s deputy leader, the signing of the“milestone” double taxation agreement, judicial cooperation on civil and commercial matters, bilateral air service agreement, MoU in the field of health and social welfare, MoU between the chambers of commerce, industry, and agriculture (of the two countries) and MoU on the domestication of the Dakar/Banjul air corridor should not be conducted without the presence of opposition leaders.
He pointed out that as political parties entrenched to represent the mandate of the people, it is understood that they did not only establish to contest for political power but should be considered as an architecture to foster a vibrant socioeconomic development. The Barrow government, Bayo said, should understand that these institutions embody the hopes and potential of the state machinery in the view to accelerate “monumental undertakings” in a collective commitment to fostering inclusive development and ensuring equitable distribution of progress across the nation.
“President Barrow disregards political leaders as partners. The Gambia Action Party is urging President Barrow to take political parties and their leadership seriously as we expect the needful to be done in ensuring that the next council meeting, party leadersare invited to attend the convergence,” he stated.
