The Gambia Government through the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MoTWI) and Ministry of Trade, Industry, Employment and Regional Integration (MoTIE), in collaboration with other Ministries as well as other parastatals on Tuesday, 13th August 2024 hosted counterpart Ministers and high profile delegation from Senegal for a meeting at Mansakonko in the Lower River Region.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss the current border situation between The Gambia and Senegal, and to reinforce the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Gambian delegation also included Hon. Abdoulie Sanyang, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information, the Permanent Secretaries of Works(MoTWI), Finance (MoFEA), Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Seedy M. Touray, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bai Ebrima Mboob, Director of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID), and Seedy Kanyie, Director of The Gambia Transport Service Company Limited (GTSC).
On the other hand, the Senegalese delegation includes El Malick Ndiaye, Minister of Infrastructure, Land Transport and Aerial; Serigne Saliou Gueye, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Cabinet Director MITTA; High Commander, Gendarmerie; Director General, National Police; Director General, Customs; Director General, Transport; protocol officials; and two technical advisors of the Ministers; as well as Gora Khouma, the President of Transporters Syndicate.
Agreed Terms and Conditions by both parties:
#The parties agreed that the fees for the electronic tracker remains in force. The Gambia Revenue Authority stipulated tariffs remains the same and all trucks in transit through Gambia are expected to comply. Senegal will soon start the implementation of the electronic tracking system which they will later explore possibilities of harmonizing fees with that of Gambia.
#Three hundred and fifty (350) trucks currently at both ends of the border were allowed to pass without payment (escort fees valid) for 24 hours after which the payment will be activated. This is a goodwill gesture from President Barrow to ease the current tension at the border.
#The agreement further stipulated that the Gambia will send a list of goods that are exempted from payment of duty to the Senegalese authorities. The period for the Laissez Passe (passavant) paid by Gambian vehicles entering Senegal was discussed and agreed upon.
#The initial payment of 5000cfa for ten days has been changed from 10 days to 30 days at a cost of 5000 CFA and renewal for 15 days for 10,000 CFA. Equally, all Senegalese vehicles entering the Gambia will also be issued a 30-day Laissez passé at a cost of 5000CFA and renewable for another 15 days at a cost of 15000 CFA.
#The Laissez passé for vehicles entering Gambia and Passavant for vehicles entering Senegal doesnot apply for trucks in transit.
#In addition, trucks on transit will only pay electronic tracking service fee. Gambian trucks in transit to Bissau, Mali and Conakry, using the Senegalese corridor will only be charged for escort fees and nothing else.
Priority service for Senegalese Diplomats:
The ferry crossing service charges for Senegal’s Dakar Dem Dik and Gambia’s GTSC buses have been restored back to its original price of 63,000 CFA. Students from Senegal on excursions, Diplomats will be given priority crossing.
Finally, all vehicles using the Trans-Gambia bridge have the option to pay the same amount in either currencies (Dalasi or CFA) based on the exchange rate. Further to this ,weekly exchange rates should be published at the Bridge for the information of end users.
Goods bought from Senegal for Gambia shall no more be charged the 80,000CFA fee imposed on goods valued at 500,000CFA or above.
