The chairman of The Association of Non-Governmental Organization in The Gambia (TANGO) has called on the authorities of The Gambia and Senegal to amicably resolve the ongoing border crisis.
John Charles Njie comes after Senegalese authorities were accused of disrespecting the Inter-State Road Transit Protocol (ISRT) between the two nations.
“The government should engage the Senegalese authorities immediately whether is the ministry of trade or whoever is responsible and explain the frustration Gambians face in order to come up with a concrete step in solving the problem,” Mr. Njie told The Voice in an exclusive interview.
“Senegal should not take advantage of the help they rendered to the country (Gambia) during political impasse because good neighborliness means that there is mutual respect and respect to protocols that are in place. Even if Senegal is taken advantage it is the government who gives them that chance and they will continue to taking advantage unless the government takes a step or report the matter to ECOWAS,” he added.
According to him, the government should put the dignity and the respect of its people before anything in addressing this issue.
He said: “If you are going to Senegal you will be subjected to harassment on the way but we don’t reciprocate that kind of thing because we are hospitable people. Government should be able to put this before the Senegal government if the Senegal government does not adhere then you take it to the ECOWAS court. There are many ways to deal with this issue.”
“I don’t see it as an issue that cannot be settled is just that our authorities are too patient with them. Again you can only be taken for granted when you allow yourself to be granted. We cannot play fiddle to any other country because of our size or whatever. we are a sovereign republic. we have to be respected for who we are and the only we can get that is if we demand it,” he alluded.
Story By: Landing Colley (The Voice)