Mayors from Senegal and The Gambia have agreed to set up a federated framework for peace between the two countries and the sub-region as a whole. This is the main conclusion of a meeting recently held in Ziguinchor and attended by all municipal top authorities of the two countries.

The framework consists of a mixed committee that will regularly meet, discuss and build partnership on peace and development issues affecting ordinary citizens in the two countries. The results and recommendations of the municipal authorities on these issues will enable prompt and relevant decision-making from top authorities of the two countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the mayor of Ziguinchor, Robert Sagna, said the idea is to promote the participation and ownership of peace initiatives and activities at community levels in the two countries. "It is an idea from the Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, who insisted that populations be involved at grassroots level in all initiatives geared towards peace building between Senegal and The Gambia. President Jammeh, like his counterpart, Abdoulaye Wade, has firmly entrusted us with the noble mission that consists of regularly tabling and discussing problems that stand as hurdles in the road to a lasting peace," Robert Sagna explained.

The mayor of Ziguinchor further thanked The Gambian leader for his efforts in ensuring the return of a lasting peace in Casamance.

On his part, the mayor of Kanifing, Yankuba Colley, recalled the need to consider a holistic approach to peace-building between the peoples of the two countries.

"There is a need to give a helping hand to our respective leaders in tackling the problems of poverty currently worsened by the global oil crisis and expensive cost of basic commodities. Our own participation at grassroots level in finding local responses to these urgent needs will be a milestone contribution towards President Wade and Jammeh's efforts in promoting peace and development in our countries," Mr Colley explained.

The mayor of Senegal's city of Rufisque, Ndiawar Touré, agreed with Yankuba Colley's approach and told the media that the attempts on finding solutions to peace and development issues should no longer remain the sole responsibility of top authorities.

"We should meet and discuss more frequently to strengthen these first steps made in Ziguinchor. The cooperation at local levels will certainly help to strengthen the exchange of experiences as well as build mutual understanding between Senegalese and Gambian peoples as we have no choice but to live together," he concluded.