6th-10th February 2005:

President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh Thursday concluded a four day state visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania at the head of a high powered delegation.

A joint communique signed by the two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to consolidate the strong bonds of bilateral relations to ensure the harmonious development of the two countries. The heads of state expressed identical positions on a range of bilateral, sub-regional, continental and international issues. The communique outlined key areas of cooperation including Transport, Trade, Energy, Fisheries, Education Tourism and Security.

A joint ministerial commission will be convened soon to examine these fields of cooperation. A cooperation protocol was signed between the two Chambers of Commerce, establishing the Mauritano-Gambian business community council. At the sub-regional and continental level, the two heads of state expressed concern at the ongoing conflicts in Ivory Coast, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While welcoming the various peace process underway, called on the protagonists to exercise restraint. The communique reaffirmed the leaders' commitment to regional cooperation and African integration and in this connection, launched an appeal to the international community, financial institutions and development partners to increase their support to African development initiatives with a view to implementing the NEPAD project. The communique expressed support for the Palestinian struggle for an independent state and also welcomed recent elections in Iraq and hoped they would contribute to the restoration of peace and security as well as guarantee its sovereignty.

President Jammeh and his host also expressed the need for more democratisation of the United Nations to enlarge equitable representation to guarantee Africa's interest.

The joint communique was preceded by a flurry of activities which began no sooner than President Jammeh arrived in Nouakchott. While the two heads of state engaged each other in a closed door meeting, the two delegations held a working session during which they reviewed bilateral and multilateral issues. Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Sidi Moro Sanneh led the Gambian delegation. At a state banquet Monday, the two heads of state again reaffirmed their determination to consolidate bilateral cooperation and expressed identical views on key issues of mutual concern. President Jammeh said in the post September 11 era, there is the need to give back Islam the lustre and meaning it has for centuries: love of humanity and peace on in order to enable small countries like the Gambia catch up with the lightening speed of development trends in the modern world. President Jammeh paid tribute to the Mauritanian President for thwarting efforts to distabilise his country: reference to attempts by some elements of to overthrow the Ould Taya regime by force of arms.

The President called for the intensification of efforts geared towards combating poverty disease, hunger, malnutrition, political instability and excruciating debt burden.

President Maaoya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya said the visit provided yet another opportunity to nurture and consolidate relations. He said upgrading diplomatic representation to ambassadorial level is manifestation of the state of bilateral relations. He said he had followed with keen interest the socio-economic development accomplishments of the Jammeh regime. The President and his host also visited the region of Atar in the north of the country; the birth place of President Maaoya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya and a tourism and historial hub of Mauritania. The welcoming ceremony was indeed overwhelming. A multitude of people and hundreds of camels lined the road from the airport to the central park in the regional capital, where a colourful crowd had also assembled.

In a welcoming statement, the mayor of Atar, Sejad Ould Abeidna said the visit was an honour for the city and a manifestation of the cordial state of bilateral relations. President Jammeh was visibly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the reception. From Atar, the regional capital, the two heads of state visited the historical city of Azoughi, the cradle of the modern state of Mauritania. There too, the reception was indeed overwhelming amid much fanfare.

President Jammeh was accompanied by Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs, Works and Construction, Fisheries and Natural Resources and the Secretary General, Office of the President. Also on the Presidential entourage were key private sector operatives and heads of parastatals.