Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, yesterday, received 113 children, being the sons and daughters of members of Senegalese parliamentarians, at the National Assembly Chambers, Banjul.

The visit of the Senegalese MPs’ children, who are currently in The Gambia on a week-long visit, is part of the drive to cement the already cordial relationship between The Gambia and Senegal, as well as explore ways and means in which the two National Assemblies can work together closely.

Speaking at the occasion, Madam Anta Sowe Njie, the president of the Senegalese women parliamentarians, commended Speaker Jahumpa Ceesay for the warm and friendly reception accorded to them. She described their stay in The Gambia as very fruitful

Madam Sowe-Njie disclosed that next year, they will spend the summer holidays with the children of the National Assembly members of The Gambia.

While commending Macky Sall, the speaker of the Senegalese parliament for conceiving such a noble trip, the Senegalese women parliamentarian president also hailed Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, the chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces for the warm reception accorded to them.

Madam Mariatou Ayn, secretary to the Senegalese parliament also agreed that the visit speaks volumes of the warm relationship between the two countries.

Alieu Sey, director of the holiday camp expressed similar sentiment.

Reacting to the comments, Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay said that the importance of the visit cannot be overemphasised. She noted that The Gambia and Senegal share everything in common, nothing that the two countries were divided by colonial rule.

“These are the children of our counterparts in Senegal, so if they are here for such a trip, we should see them as our own children. The Senegalese speaker Macky Sall has sent me a letter and an envoy to tell me about their holiday in The Gambia since they will also expect Gambian parliamentarians’ children,” she said, noting that they hope to reciprocate the visit in the near future.

Commenting on the theme of the visit “Peace and development”, the speaker noted that the theme is very fitting and that it is in-line with President Jammeh’s ideology.

“Our President has always talked about peace and development since they can’t be parted. He has been engaged in mediation process in sub-regional countries, as well as talking peace at the global level,” she said, noting that President Jammeh is a champion of development which could be attested to in the country.

Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay noted that the National Assembly will enter into dialogue with the government in a bid to set-up a Gambia-Senegal parliamentarian association, which she said will pave the way for future cooperation and interactions.

While commending her counterpart, Macky Sall, for conceiving the idea, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay advised the children to be committed to their education, respect elders, as well as the authorities.

Honourable Abdoulie Bojang, deputy speaker, Hon Seedy SK Njie, nominated youth representative, Hon Yerrow MC Mballow, NAM for Lower Fulladu, Hon Babanding KK Daffeh, NAM for Kiang Central, and Hon Haddy Nyang Jagne, NAM for Jeswang, all described the visit as symptomatic of African integration.

At the end of the meeting, the visitors presented gifts to the speaker, who later hosted them to a reception.