Mr. Ben Suwareh praises Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s exceptional and outstanding presentations at the Senegal-Gambia Forum. Ben Suwareh states that this forum stands apart from all previous ones, as those earlier forums primarily focused on the interests of Senegal, particularly during Macky Sall’s presidency. The integration of Senegal and Gambia is likely to be most effective if it begins with economic integration rather than political integration. This explains why the Senegambia Confederation ultimately failed and had to collapse.
Ben Suwareh notes that the European Union was not formed overnight; it began with the integration of all European member states, exemplified by the European Economic Area (EEA). This international agreement allows the extension of the EU single market to the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Prime Minister Sonko referenced this as a model for both Senegal and Gambia to emulate.
However, it ultimately boils down to the matter of leadership, Ben Suwareh continued. According to him, Senegal possesses the appropriate leadership at this pivotal moment. The current leadership in Senegal is visionary and transformational. Prime Minister Sonko, guided by the principles of pan-Africanism, envisions a future where both Senegal and Gambia thrive through integration in infrastructure, transport, industry, tourism, and the digital economy as essential sectors for mutual development. Regrettably, the present leadership in Gambia, under President Adama Barrow, does not possess the necessary qualities to elevate the nation to a greater standard. Observe our Vice-President Muhammed B. S. Jallow; rather than engaging actively, he was consistently perceived as a spectator throughout the forum. Ben Suwareh expresses concern about the current state of leadership in The Gambia.
