>Hi Dr.. Saine,

My opinion on whether Gambia should become part of Senegal
is a resounding no. However, I do support a partnership
based on equality. If you recall the mechanics of the
confederal agreement in 1981, the Presidency was always
with Senegal and the agreement was generally flawed in
favor of Senegal. Having said that, one can understand the
circumstances in which the agreement was signed.

I believe that if the Gambia is to enter into any form of
union with Senegal the economic benefits should outweigh
the cost. With hindsight one can ask what has the
senegambia confederation from 1981-1989 contributed to the
development of the Gambia. Has there been any economic
benefits for the nation, apart from the privilege few who
used to jet off to Senegal as confederal parliamentarians and
ministers with their enhanced allowances.

Looking at it from Senegal's side, making the Gambia part
of Senegal will increase access to the cassamance region
especially in terms of reduced transportation costs. The
Gambia borders Senegal on three sides and there are bound to
be economic spillovers. Historically, the attraction of the
Gambian economy has been its liberal import policy, as a
result it has acted an entrepot for the subregion. The
efficiency of the port system and the turn around time of
imported goods is much quicker in Gambia than in the
surrounding countries. Hence the growth of the reexport
trade. To Senegal, the growth in the reexport trade is
generally considered as a fraud (smuggling) because it is
not channeled through official sources. Whilst the
government of the Gambia derives tax revenue accruing from
the higher level of imports, across the border, traders are
selling goods that the government realizes nothing from.
(these are some of the issues which makes Senegal want the
federation so badly).

I also don't believe that force should be used to integrate
Gambia and Senegal. The political instability of Cassamance
is enough to put that proposition to rest and also people
are very resilient, they cannot be forced to accept an
agreement that has been imposed on them.

The problems enumerated is an indication of the obstacles
that African countries face in the quest for an African
Economic Community. Of course there are various levels of
cooperation, staring from the simplest level and gradually
building it up to the total unification of African
countries.

Senegal have a greater advantage to squeeze the Gambian
economy. When they closed their borders in 1993/94, the
reexport trade suffered causing a loss of government
revenue. My personal opinion is alternatives to the
reexport trade should have been implemented long ago.
Re-exports does not create long term employment except that
it benefits the few traders with the market monopoly. There
is an urgent need to invest for industrialization by
creating cottage industries that will create jobs in
the long run.

I'm sure L'ers have an opinion on this issue.

Basil

On Fri, 17 Sep 1999 15:52:42 -0400 Abdoulaye Saine
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Mr. Jones & G-L Community:
>
> I have read with great interest many of the brilliant postings,
> (including your own) on the  subject regarding the need for both
> continental and regional unity. The rationale for such schemes and
> reservations raised have been compelling.  My concern however, is closer
> to home. That is, Gambia's relation to its larger neighbor, Senegal.
> Should Gambia become part of Senegal? Should we resolve this enduring
> political and geographic oddity or leave it as it is? How tenable is the
> current situation?  Would the use of force to integrate Gambia into
> Senegal justifiable? I did like to know what you all think?  Thanks.
>
> Abdoulaye
>
>

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