The Daily Observer (Banjul)
3 March 2008
A two-day state visit by the president of Mauritania ended Saturday with a joint communique expressing bonds of "brotherhood" between the two sister countries.
The historical ties between the two peoples are truly historical going back a millennium.
The cultural and religious ties between the two mainly Muslim countries are also very strong, in a small way signified by the fact that the Mauritanian president met the dignitaries of his community in the Sheraton Hotel's Kunta Kinteh Hall - named after Kunta Kinteh (a famous Gambian who was ripped from the forest of Juffureh and taken into slavery) whose grandfather was Mauritanian.
President Cheikh Abdallahi was met at Banjul International Airport (a showcase of President Jammeh's development of The Gambia) by President Jammeh, the vice-president, the speaker of the National Assembly, the chief justice, the secretaries of state, service chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps, and an array of Gambian and Mauritania cultural troupes.
From the airport, the presidential motorcades took the long old route from Lamin to Banjulinding and Churchill's Town - again along another Jammeh developmental showcase (a well-constructed dual carriageway road all the way from Yundum to Westfield).
Mauritanians and Gambians thronged the roadside all the way, cheering their warm welcome to President Abdallahi. The motorcade turned at Westfield and headed along Kairaba Avenue, and then turned again at the Kairaba Traffic Lights to head towards the Senegambia and on to the Sheraton Hotel.
Meanwhile the two presidents stood all the way, waving and acknowledging the cheers of the crowd.
The Sheraton (another landmark development of the Jammeh Era) opened its door, as it has done on so many occasions, to host another visiting head of state and dignitaries.
On Friday evening, a state banquet was held at the Jaama Hall, Kairaba Hotel, in honour of President Cheikh Abdallahi.
Excellent dance troupes from Mauritainia and The Gambia lit up the occasion. But it was a group of Gambians and Toubabs, based in Sweden of all places, who stole the show with exciting Gambian dances and songs! A visibly appreciative President Jammeh saluted Ecco-Gambia's performance
The banquet concluded with President Jammeh bestowing the Insignia of Grand Commander of the Republic of The Gambia on President Cheikh Abdallahi "for his effort in fostering the excellent relationship that exists between The Gambia and Mauritania".
The following day, Saturday, saw a visit to Gunjur Fisheries Plant and the Banjul Port by President Abdallahi. This was followed by a tete-a-tete at State House between the two presidents, after which a joint- communique was issued (see below).
At 4:00 pm, the aforementioned welcoming dignitaries again gathered at the Banjul International Airport to see off President Cheikh Abdallahi.
Joint Communique
At the invitation of his brother and friend His Excellency Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania paid a friendly and working visit to the Republic of The Gambia from 29th February 2008 to 01 March 2008.
His Excellency, President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was accompanied by a high ranking delegation.
His Excellency, President Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and his delegation were met on arrival at the Banjul International Airport by His Excellency, President Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, secretaries of state (ministers), National Assembly members, government officials and the Mauritanian community in The Gambia.
During the visit, the two Heads of State had a tete-a-tete in the course of which they discussed issues of bilateral, regional and international interest.
The discussions were held in a frienly and cordial atmopwhere and the two Heads of Sate had identical views on all the issues discussed.
At the bilateral level, the two Heads of State expressed satisfaction at the excellent relations that historically and happily eixst between the two sisterly countries and their peoples, and reiterated their determination to further stregthen these bonds in the mutual interest of the two Governments and peoples.
The two Heads of State also expressed satisfaction with the good conduct of the recently concluded 4th Session of the Mauritano-Gambian Joint Ministerial Commission meeting held in Banjul on 12 th February 2008. In this regard, they instructed the officials of the var ous Departments of both sides to follow the recommedations up by concrete actions.
The two Heads of State dilated at large on the various situations in the sub-region and on the African Continent at large. They noted with satisfction the positive developments registered overall, on-going efforts to achieve peace and security throughout the continent. In this regard, they commended the efforts generally made by the African Union and the wider international Community.
The two Heads of State expressed their determination to work together in fighting all forms of threats to the peace, security and stability of their two countries and, indeed of the entire sub-region.
During his stay, His Excellency President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and his delegation paid a visit to Gunjur Fisheries Complex and the Banjul Sea Port.
His Excellency President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi also received in audicence the Muaritanian Community in The Gambia.
His Excellency, President Jammeh, took the opportunity to once again congratulate His Excellency President Ould Cheikh Abdallahi for his victory at the presidential elections. He also commended the government and the people of Mauritania for their show of political maturity in the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections, which was hailed by the international community.
His Excellency President Jammeh awarded His Excellency President Ould Cheikh Abdallahi the Insignia of Grand Commander of the Republic of The Gambia.
At the end of the visit, His Excellency President Ould Cheikh Abdallahi expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Jammeh, the Government and people of The Gambia for the brotherly warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation since their arrival in Banjul.
His Excellency, Ould Cheikh Abdallahi extended an invitiation to His Excellency President Jammeh to pay a friendly and working visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
His Excellency, President Jammeh accepted the invitation with pleasure.
The date for this visit will be determined through diplomatic channels.
Done in Banjul this Day of 1st March 2008 in the English and French languages both texts being equally authentic.
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