Back and Next - Back and NextNO ALIEN CERTIFICATE FOR BISSAU GUINEANS; declares President Jammeh
Thursday, February 26, 2009
In yet another demonstration of his pan-Africanist inclination, the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, yesterday afternoon made a declaration, excempting all nationals of Guinea Bissau living in The Gambia from requiring alien certificate.
President Jammeh made this declaration during a meeting with the visiting Bissau Guinean prime minister, His Excellency, Carlos Gomez Junior. Speaking at the meeting which was held at the Cabinet Room, President Jammeh said that the two countries share a long standing mutual relationship, dating back to precolonial era. He said any effort geared towards breaking the fruitful ties that exist between these two countries will remain fruitless as "the two countries are one family with two compounds."
This unshakable ties binding the two sisterly countries, Professor Jammeh said, is based on "truth, custom and the desire of the two people as well as their genuine wish to unite and work together for not only their own development, but also that of the sub-region, and the entire continent. The level of The Gambia’s commitment to the course of the people of Guinea Bissau, President reiterated, is highly demonstrable during the struggle for independence. He said that since The Gambia gained independence before Guinean Bissau, the former stood firmly by the latter in its fight for liberation.
"I want to assure you that whatever we did for Guinea Bissau, we have only been performing a divine duty that we are obliged to. We cherish our relationship with Guinea Bissau, and as such no politician, country or power on the surface of the earth can divide us. I want to assure you that with the support the people of Guinea Bissau gave you during the November elections, we will assist you not to dash their hope," he said, and added: "I see no reason why my country will not share its experience with other countries to develop the same way as we have, most particularly Guinea Bissau."
The Gambian leader urged Prime Minister Gomez to be careful and to be vigilant in maintaining the fruitful ties between Banjul and Bissau, noting that there might be some existing jealousy to this relationship. Professor Jammeh went on to urge PM Gomez to be very sensitive to the needs of his people, pointing out that lack of attention by politicians to their people is responsible for the failure of many. He further noted that the elections in the former Portugues colony have sent powerful lessons to all politicians who think that ordinary citizens are not watching.
President Jammeh went on to thank the new Bissau prime minister for the open invitation he extended to The Gambia’s private sector. This move, according to Professor Jammeh, is what is expected of a pan-Africanists. He stated further that such a move serves as an encouragement for economic integration within the region, and the continent at large. To this end, he suggested the need for the establishment of inter-border trade companies in the region, with a view of strengthening economic activities in Africa. He said that it is baseless to leave our market, which is the biggest, for Western markets, as the sons and daughters of the continent can trade within it. The setting up of these companies, he expounded, will go a long way in strengthening this dream of economic integration, which remains an agenda for the continent.
The Gambian leader used the opportunity to reiterate his call for unity and togetherness in Africa, describing it as key "if Africa is to liberate itself from poverty and instability." President Jammeh also noted that Africans should count on the supremacy of the Almighty Allah, self- dependence, pride and dignity, in their quest for development. Relying on the West, he pointed out, will not pay any dividend to our development needs. "It is very sad that Africa, with all the resources in its possession, continues to count on the West for development," Professor Jammeh said.
He urged the Bissau Guinean prime minister to put his destiny in the hands of the Almighty Allah, to mobilise his people and to have confidence in them, in order to ensure and make significant impact on their lives. He said that The Gambia made progress because of the fact that it relies on these realities - the limited resources in its possession, as well as the concept of independence, dignity and pride. Known to be a development oriented leader, Professor Jammeh urged Prime Minister Gomez to invest in the areas of education, health and agriculture, saying that these are pillars of development that are inter-linked, which have been the reasons behind Gambia’s development.
Aware of the fact that the past political turmoil in Guinea Bissau had, affected almost all areas of its development. Professor Jammeh advised PM Gomez to further the spirit of reconciliation and unity in his country. He noted that the country is for Bissau Guineans, and that it doesn’t belong to any tribe.
In this regard, he hailed the political parties in Guinea Bissau for adhering to the Memorandum of Understanding they signed in Banjul. He concluded by praising all Guinea Bissau nationals in The Gambia for their hard work and for being supportive to his development aspiration.
Speaking earlier, His Excellency Carlos Gomez Junior commended the Gambian leader for his manifestation of love for his country. He said that the warm welcome accorded him by Gambians was by no means a surprise as it is a historical fact about The Gambia. According to the Bissau Guinean Prime Minister, the Gambia under President Jammeh has been a great source of inspiration within the framework of ECOWAS, with regards to peace and stability, as well as for the economic progress the country is experiencing. He told the president that through his action, The Gambia had been able to face the challenges of development on the political arena.
According to him, the Gambian leader’s attachment to African ideals has led to his progressive initiatives "which has not only impacted positively on the development of your country, but also in the sub-region at large”. In this regard, he expressed profound gratitude to President Jammeh for all his achievements, particularly in the area of conflict resolutions and maintainance of peace and stability in troubled regions aross the world.
The Bissau Guinean prime minister also told the Gambian leader that the global financial melt down that is weakening African countries, calls for a change interms of views in relations with the development strategies. He added that it calls for diversification of our economic plans and strengthening of regional integration.
He told the president that his visit to The Gambia came at a time when the pages of their historical constitution and politics has been open, noting that the recent elections in his country had given to his party (PIAGC) 67 seats out of 100 in the parliament. He observed that this political development in his country, is a sign of hope for progress in that country.
"This has amply manifested that peace and stability is a key requirement for sustainable development", he said, and added, "we have taken the country with enormous constraints, and most outstanding among these is instability, absence of social dialogue, as well as numerous strikes in the education and health sectors", he said. These constraints and challenges at hand, according to the P M Gomez, can be overcomed with peace and stability, as well as the strengthening of their democratic institutions.
On their economic plan, PM Gomes revealed, they are considering cleansing of the public finances, implementation of structural reforms, integrated plans, as well as accelerating growth in the country. In this regard, he told the president, the peace and stability that his country is enjoying, as well as the progress in its economic growth, is a motivation to Guinea Bissau to forge ahead.
While expressing admiration for the level of trade between the two countries, PM Gomez called for strengthening of the existing cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries. He called on them to identify new areas of investment. This move, he added, will go a long way in the promotion of economic integration on the continent. Reiterating the need for a strong partnership between the two private sectors, he noted that the two countries have a lot more to give to one another.
At the end of the meeting, the two leaders extended gifts in a gesture of gratitude to each other, before convening a tete-a-tete. A joint communique was expected to be signed by the two authorities at the end of the state visit. Present at the meeting were the vice president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, secretaries of state and senior government officials of the two countries, as well as officials of the private sector of Guinea Bissau, amongst others.
President Jammeh made this declaration during a meeting with the visiting Bissau Guinean prime minister, His Excellency, Carlos Gomez Junior. Speaking at the meeting which was held at the Cabinet Room, President Jammeh said that the two countries share a long standing mutual relationship, dating back to precolonial era. He said any effort geared towards breaking the fruitful ties that exist between these two countries will remain fruitless as "the two countries are one family with two compounds."
This unshakable ties binding the two sisterly countries, Professor Jammeh said, is based on "truth, custom and the desire of the two people as well as their genuine wish to unite and work together for not only their own development, but also that of the sub-region, and the entire continent. The level of The Gambia’s commitment to the course of the people of Guinea Bissau, President reiterated, is highly demonstrable during the struggle for independence. He said that since The Gambia gained independence before Guinean Bissau, the former stood firmly by the latter in its fight for liberation.
"I want to assure you that whatever we did for Guinea Bissau, we have only been performing a divine duty that we are obliged to. We cherish our relationship with Guinea Bissau, and as such no politician, country or power on the surface of the earth can divide us. I want to assure you that with the support the people of Guinea Bissau gave you during the November elections, we will assist you not to dash their hope," he said, and added: "I see no reason why my country will not share its experience with other countries to develop the same way as we have, most particularly Guinea Bissau."
The Gambian leader urged Prime Minister Gomez to be careful and to be vigilant in maintaining the fruitful ties between Banjul and Bissau, noting that there might be some existing jealousy to this relationship. Professor Jammeh went on to urge PM Gomez to be very sensitive to the needs of his people, pointing out that lack of attention by politicians to their people is responsible for the failure of many. He further noted that the elections in the former Portugues colony have sent powerful lessons to all politicians who think that ordinary citizens are not watching.
President Jammeh went on to thank the new Bissau prime minister for the open invitation he extended to The Gambia’s private sector. This move, according to Professor Jammeh, is what is expected of a pan-Africanists. He stated further that such a move serves as an encouragement for economic integration within the region, and the continent at large. To this end, he suggested the need for the establishment of inter-border trade companies in the region, with a view of strengthening economic activities in Africa. He said that it is baseless to leave our market, which is the biggest, for Western markets, as the sons and daughters of the continent can trade within it. The setting up of these companies, he expounded, will go a long way in strengthening this dream of economic integration, which remains an agenda for the continent.
The Gambian leader used the opportunity to reiterate his call for unity and togetherness in Africa, describing it as key "if Africa is to liberate itself from poverty and instability." President Jammeh also noted that Africans should count on the supremacy of the Almighty Allah, self- dependence, pride and dignity, in their quest for development. Relying on the West, he pointed out, will not pay any dividend to our development needs. "It is very sad that Africa, with all the resources in its possession, continues to count on the West for development," Professor Jammeh said.
He urged the Bissau Guinean prime minister to put his destiny in the hands of the Almighty Allah, to mobilise his people and to have confidence in them, in order to ensure and make significant impact on their lives. He said that The Gambia made progress because of the fact that it relies on these realities - the limited resources in its possession, as well as the concept of independence, dignity and pride. Known to be a development oriented leader, Professor Jammeh urged Prime Minister Gomez to invest in the areas of education, health and agriculture, saying that these are pillars of development that are inter-linked, which have been the reasons behind Gambia’s development.
Aware of the fact that the past political turmoil in Guinea Bissau had, affected almost all areas of its development. Professor Jammeh advised PM Gomez to further the spirit of reconciliation and unity in his country. He noted that the country is for Bissau Guineans, and that it doesn’t belong to any tribe.
In this regard, he hailed the political parties in Guinea Bissau for adhering to the Memorandum of Understanding they signed in Banjul. He concluded by praising all Guinea Bissau nationals in The Gambia for their hard work and for being supportive to his development aspiration.
Speaking earlier, His Excellency Carlos Gomez Junior commended the Gambian leader for his manifestation of love for his country. He said that the warm welcome accorded him by Gambians was by no means a surprise as it is a historical fact about The Gambia. According to the Bissau Guinean Prime Minister, the Gambia under President Jammeh has been a great source of inspiration within the framework of ECOWAS, with regards to peace and stability, as well as for the economic progress the country is experiencing. He told the president that through his action, The Gambia had been able to face the challenges of development on the political arena.
According to him, the Gambian leader’s attachment to African ideals has led to his progressive initiatives "which has not only impacted positively on the development of your country, but also in the sub-region at large”. In this regard, he expressed profound gratitude to President Jammeh for all his achievements, particularly in the area of conflict resolutions and maintainance of peace and stability in troubled regions aross the world.
The Bissau Guinean prime minister also told the Gambian leader that the global financial melt down that is weakening African countries, calls for a change interms of views in relations with the development strategies. He added that it calls for diversification of our economic plans and strengthening of regional integration.
He told the president that his visit to The Gambia came at a time when the pages of their historical constitution and politics has been open, noting that the recent elections in his country had given to his party (PIAGC) 67 seats out of 100 in the parliament. He observed that this political development in his country, is a sign of hope for progress in that country.
"This has amply manifested that peace and stability is a key requirement for sustainable development", he said, and added, "we have taken the country with enormous constraints, and most outstanding among these is instability, absence of social dialogue, as well as numerous strikes in the education and health sectors", he said. These constraints and challenges at hand, according to the P M Gomez, can be overcomed with peace and stability, as well as the strengthening of their democratic institutions.
On their economic plan, PM Gomes revealed, they are considering cleansing of the public finances, implementation of structural reforms, integrated plans, as well as accelerating growth in the country. In this regard, he told the president, the peace and stability that his country is enjoying, as well as the progress in its economic growth, is a motivation to Guinea Bissau to forge ahead.
While expressing admiration for the level of trade between the two countries, PM Gomez called for strengthening of the existing cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries. He called on them to identify new areas of investment. This move, he added, will go a long way in the promotion of economic integration on the continent. Reiterating the need for a strong partnership between the two private sectors, he noted that the two countries have a lot more to give to one another.
At the end of the meeting, the two leaders extended gifts in a gesture of gratitude to each other, before convening a tete-a-tete. A joint communique was expected to be signed by the two authorities at the end of the state visit. Present at the meeting were the vice president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, secretaries of state and senior government officials of the two countries, as well as officials of the private sector of Guinea Bissau, amongst others.
Author: by Hatab Fadera
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