The outgoing Senegalese high commissioner to The Gambia has described Banjul-Dakar relations as stronger and closer than ever, saying it has improved significantly in recent times. He said this was possible because the two countries are interdependent as they are only divided by colonialists.

Professor Jammeh Singhateh was speaking Wednesday at State House in Banjul shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Jammeh to bid him farewell after ending his tour of duty in The Gambia.

"My mission here is to bid President Jammeh farewell after successfully ending my tour of duty in The Gambia. He had given me all the support during my tenure of office in this country. I thank him and his government and my colleagues whom I was dealing with directly during my stay in the country," he said.

He described The Gambia and Senegal as one country divided by nature, saying that the two countries are strategic to each other and also share so many things in common.

While thanking President Jammeh for all the support and his strong stance in ensuring a stronger relation between the two countries, the Senegalese diplomat equally heaped praises on Gambians for being accommodative to strangers, particularly to Senegalese.

Owing to the strategic nature of the two countries, the outgoing Senegalese diplomat said his people are living very peacefully in The Gambia. He used the opportunity to reiterate the need to ensure a continuous and cordial working relationship between the two countries.

"Once again, I want to thank the Gambian people for allowing Senegalese live in The Gambia in a very conducive atmosphere. No single Senegalese has ever approached me or complained of any bad treatment since I assumed duties in the country. We have worked here peacefully and are leaving with a stable mind," he concluded.