President Adama Barrow has warned that rising threats including terrorism, irregular migration, food insecurity, climate change and cybercrime are testing the resilience of West African nations, insisting that The Gambia and Senegal must deepen cooperation to confront the challenges.

Addressing the 4th Session of the Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council in Dakar, Barrow said the rapidly changing security and economic landscape facing the region makes closer bilateral and regional partnerships more important than ever.

“The situation demands stronger bilateral and regional solidarity, closer cooperation, and collective action,” the President said.

“Our Senegambian ties, therefore, remain absolutely relevant and indispensable.”
His remarks come at a time when several West African countries are grappling with insecurity, economic pressures, migration concerns and the growing impact of climate change.

Barrow said no country can effectively address such challenges in isolation, stressing that stronger cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal remains critical to maintaining peace, stability and development.

The President noted that although The Gambia and Senegal are separate sovereign states, their peoples are united by history, culture, religion, language and family ties that stretch across generations.

He described the Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council as a vital mechanism for transforming those historic ties into practical cooperation capable of improving the lives of citizens in both countries.

Barrow highlighted the achievements recorded through joint initiatives, particularly in border management, transport, security and trade. He pointed to the Senegambia Bridge as a symbol of what can be achieved when the two countries work together, saying the project has boosted commerce, improved mobility and strengthened economic integration.

The President also praised cooperation among customs, immigration, transport and security services, which he said has helped facilitate the movement of people and goods while enhancing regional stability.

Looking ahead, Barrow called for stronger collaboration in strategic sectors including defence, energy, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, education, health, digital transformation and environmental protection.

He also urged both countries to accelerate infrastructure projects, including road, river and maritime transport networks, to unlock economic opportunities and create jobs for young people.

The Gambian leader further stressed the need to remove trade bottlenecks and administrative barriers that continue to hinder cross-border commerce.

He said the future prosperity of both nations depends on turning agreements into tangible results that directly benefit citizens.

“Let us ensure that the commitments and resolutions adopted by this Presidential Council translate into tangible outcomes that positively impact the lives of our citizens,” Barrow told delegates.

The summit brought together senior government officials, ministers and experts from both countries to review existing agreements and map out future areas of cooperation as Dakar and Banjul seek to strengthen one of West Africa’s closest bilateral relationships.

By Adama Makasuba