By Modou Kujabi, State House
The army chiefs of The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau yesterday held a conclave in Banjul to sign Memorandum of Understanding for a greater security cooperation among the three sister states. Briefing the Gambian leader at State House , Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba described the meeting as fruitful . According to him, at the end of the one-day intensive meeting they agreed to do joint border patrol, training of soldiers as well as other areas of mutual concern.
In his remark, the Army Chief of Staff of Guinea Bissau said he was profoundly happy to see the three countries signed such a groundbreaking MOU. He opined that with this MOU if respected it would go a long way in strengthening security cooperation and peace within the sub region. “ This MOU will bring African States together " Nachuto said . The Bissau Guinean military boss has served in the army for 46 years and has been involved in 27 operations in Bissau.
Lt. General Abdoulie Faal of Senegal said that they would do their best to ensure the successful implementation of the MOU. He said that they will never relent in efforts to promote peace and harmony in the three countries in particular and the African continent in general.
Addressing the three army chiefs , President Jammeh said , "This is my vision for Africa. We all have allies in the West but they exploit us. The three countries are one people,major languages of the countries are spoken by all three countries and more.. We are the same people. I want the sub region to get out of poverty. The West does not want to see three countries work together they will separate them. We are the least developed with no mineral resources, but we can be rich leaving the others behind. We need to work harder. Political leaders can quarrel but you the heads of armies cannot or else there would be turmoil, many innocent people would die prematurely. Gambia has no interest in helping fight in any country, you have role to promote in society.” Jammeh went on to point accusing finger to the West for being “hell bent on undermining the peace of developing nations.”
According to him there are people who always want to see Africa in turmoil , citing the war in some African countries as deeply regrettable.
The Gambian leader viewed that if the MOU works well it will herald a new African Union. “they like to tell us what to do but hate us telling them what to do. They want to tell us what to eat, where to sleep, but they hate us telling them. The West took our resources and they want us to follow them,” said President Jammeh.
He further said that they wanted a prosperous sub region . "If you ensure peace and stability then we shall ensure development." President Jammeh said. We must trust to work together and we must not hide from each other. If there is problem your children will suffer." President Jammeh said there would be no peace until Africans stop killing each other.
President Jammeh suggested that the three Army chiefs meet quarterly so as to implement their action plan, then the evil doers would be afraid. "I am a pan Africanist! The West need us but many of them would finish their term of office without coming to see any African country, not even their foreign ministers until they leave power. We are so generous that even a small European call
us we run to him.” Jammeh indirectly referred to President Bush for failing to include The Gambia, among the list of countries on his port of call to Africa. Mr. Jammeh never minces his feelings against the West. He accuses Western leaders of double standards.
The president further mentioned the Australian Mineral Company that they were stealing from Gambians and were paying 50 Dollars per ton when they were receiving over 2, 000 Dollars per ton when taken to China. They mined more minerals than we thought. The company told us they received 150 Dollars per ton which was not true. We did our investigation alright. He said. I therefore ask for cooperation among the three countries ; Senegal, Guinea Bissau and The Gambia.
The two Army chiefs were decorated with medals by President.
Jammeh. Meanwhile CDS Tamba showcased at the ceremony, the medal Maitre Abdoulie Wade presented him on his recent visit there.