The First Ordinary Session of the 15th Legislature of Senegal concluded on Monday with a call for greater regional parliamentary collaboration from the Hon. Speaker, Fabakary Tombong Jatta.
The Hon. Speaker delivered the keynote address at the closing ceremony, emphasising the critical role of legislative bodies in fostering stability, development, and democratic governance across West Africa.
Addressing a distinguished audience of Senegalese parliamentarians, government officials, and diplomatic representatives, Speaker Jatta lauded the Senegalese National Assembly for its productive session and underscored the shared democratic values and aspirations that bind The Gambia and Senegal. “Our two nations, inextricably linked by geography, history, and culture, stand as beacons of democracy in our sub-region,” Speaker Jatta stated. “It is through the robust functioning of institutions like our respective National Assemblies that the will of the people is truly represented and their aspirations for peace and prosperity are realised.”
The Hon. Speaker also spoke at length on the imperative of deepening parliamentary cooperation. He highlighted the need for regular exchanges of best practices, joint legislative initiatives, and coordinated efforts on issues of common concern, such as economic integration, security challenges, climate change, and migration.
“The complex challenges facing our region transcend national borders,” he remarked. “No single parliament can effectively address them in isolation. We must leverage our collective wisdom, experience, and legislative power to craft solutions that benefit all our citizens,” Speaker Jatta stressed.
He concluded by emphasising that enhanced inter-parliamentary dialogue could play a pivotal role in harmonizing laws, promoting good governance, and strengthening regional bodies like ECOWAS.
