Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow and his Gabonese counterpart, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening relations between The Gambia and Gabon, with both countries agreeing to expand cooperation across political, economic, social, and cultural fields.
President Oligui Nguema arrived in The Gambia on Thursday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Barrow. He was received by the Gambian leader at Banjul International Airport, where he was accorded a guard of honor.
The visit, which runs from July 30 to August 2, brought the two West and Central African countries together to review their existing cooperation framework and identify new areas of partnership.
New agreements to strengthen cooperation
On Friday, President Barrow and President Oligui Nguema held a private meeting at State House, followed by formal bilateral discussions involving their respective delegations.
According to a joint communiqué issued after the talks, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the cordial relations between The Gambia and Gabon and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries and their peoples.
The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in political, economic, social, cultural, and technical fields. As part of that effort, they signed a General Cooperation Agreement and an agreement establishing a joint commission between the two countries.
Another agreement provides for reciprocal visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports, a move aimed at facilitating official travel between the two countries.
The two governments also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political and Diplomatic Consultations between their foreign ministries. The arrangement is intended to encourage regular diplomatic consultations and high-level visits to review bilateral cooperation and identify new areas of partnership.
Trade, investment, and people-to-people ties
The two presidents agreed to continue negotiations towards bilateral agreements and protocols covering areas including trade, investment, agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure.
President Brice Oligui Nguema visits the Bakau Kachikally crocodile pool
They said greater cooperation in these sectors should translate into tangible benefits for the populations of both countries.
President Barrow and President Oligui Nguema also stressed the importance of increasing exchanges between Gambians and Gabonese, particularly through culture, sport, and tourism.
The discussions reflected the broader commitment expressed by both leaders to peace, security, and stability in Africa, as well as to the principles of the African Union and Pan-African solidarity.
They further reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and South-South cooperation as important strategies for promoting sustainable development and shared prosperity across the continent.
Gabonese president visits Gambian institutions
During his stay, President Oligui Nguema visited several government institutions and cultural sites, including the National Laboratory for Food and Drug Quality Control in Brusubi, the Faraba Campus of the University of The Gambia, the National Emergency Treatment Center in Farato, and the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau.
The visits provided the Gabonese delegation with an opportunity to gain insight into The Gambia’s development priorities and cultural heritage.
President Barrow also hosted a state banquet in honor of his Gabonese counterpart, underscoring what the two governments described as the warmth and longstanding bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Barrow accepts invitation to Gabon
At the conclusion of the visit, President Oligui Nguema expressed gratitude to President Barrow and the Gambian people for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
He invited President Barrow to undertake a reciprocal state visit to Gabon at a mutually agreed date. President Barrow accepted the invitation.
The two leaders described President Oligui Nguema’s state visit as an important milestone in the history of relations between The Gambia and Gabon and reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating the partnership between the two countries.
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