This is from the Daily Observer.
I believe President Wade's public comment on this very important issue
is a very good first start. There is no doubt that the two countries
must learn to live together.

Perhaps he got his ideas of Ferries, Tunnels and Bridge all at once from
his few days in New York . With combined population of Gambia and
Senegal less than that of New York Metro, and a combined GDP of 20
billion US Dollars (5% of NYC GDP) you wonder whether going for tunnel,
bridge and ferry service is not an over kill. My advice is to start
negotiations the following modest goals:

1. A joint Senegalese-Gambian Transportation Authoriy. This would be
responsible for purchase of and managment all ferries and (any future)
bridges across the two major crossing points (Banjul-Barra and Bamba
Tenda-Yeli Tenda) and the major trunk roads in each country. This
Authority must be authonomous. The goal is provide service at all people
at all times and be accountable to the customers.

2. A Senegambia Free Trade Zone. This means unrestricted movement of
people, goods and transportation anywhere anytime within Senegambia. To
prevent it from being another ECOWAS treaty, both governments must be
required under the treaty to conduct atleast 5 years of intensive public
education campaign of their people on their rights of passage and trade
across both countries. Also setup joint mechanisms for addressing
individual claims for any violation of that right. eg give the common
man to take anyone or institution to court for interfering with his
right to free movement and trade.

Malanding Jaiteh



This must be guaranteed by
Wade speaks on border impasse
Written by Freddy Jammeh
Tuesday, 20 September 2005

Abdoulaye Wade, the Senegalese president, has stipulated conditions for
undoing the long-drawn-out border stalemate between Senegal and The Gambia.
The president, who has just returned from the UN General Assembly, said
the solution to the border standoff should be discussed by both
governments through frank and direct talks on an agenda comprising four
main items.
The four-point agenda include constructing the Bamba Tenda-Yelli Tenda
Bridge, agreeing on a consensus ferry tariffs, allowing Senegalese-owned
ferries to ply the route, and allowing Senegal to dig a tunnel under the
River Gambia.
According to him, the Bamba Tenda-Yelli Tenda Bridge is an old project
that was agreed upon a long time ago. “Also the Chinese government has
already agreed to fund the tunnel project. I agree that The Gambia and
Senegal are two independent and sovereign countries. However, it is in
the interest of our two governments to discuss these issues as any
decision taken in this regard affects people of the two countries,’’
Wade said. The Senegalese president finally said his government is ready
for dialogue with the Gambian authorities on all the issues that could
help to end the border blockade. Wade emphasised that The Gambia and
Senegal are obligated to live harmoniously together and as such they
should develop a healthy relationship.

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