The Gambia Teachers' Union (GTU) and Syndicats Unique at Democratic des Enseignants du Senegal (SUDES) on Saturday celebrated the 3rd Senegambia Brotherhood Day.

The programme which focuses on the theme: "Promoting regional integration and cohesion" was held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi. Following the signing of the protocol of the accord between the GTU and one of its sister teacher unions in the Republic of Senegal, Syndicats Unique at Democratic des Enseignants du Senegal (SUDES) 2nd February is set aside as Senegambia Brotherhood Day and is celebrated each year.

The event was successfully hosted by SUDES in Sokone, Republic of Senegal last year. Speaking at the ceremony, Lamin K Marong, GTU president said that GTU and SUDES as professional organisations must continue to provide both pedagogical and technical services to their members and work with their line ministries and other partners to provide and improve the main objectives of the educational service delivery in the two countries. "As professional teacher organisations, the GTU/ SUDES should agree in principle or even sign a memorandum of understanding on the professional issues that are of common interest and benefits to its members," he remarked.  He said that that GTU/SUDES as civil society organisations could also work together to promote and protect the rights and welfare of their membership through exchange of information and sharing of skills and experiences. According to him, such fora should provide an opportunity for both GTU and SUDES to avoid mistakes and strengthen the best practices for the benefit of all their members as well as the students they teach and train for adult responsibilities.

He revealed that Senegal and The Gambia are one people and share one physical environment, the same climate, tribe, culture, religion, flora and fauna and socio-economic activities.  He disclosed that it was in the famous 1884 Berlin Conference that the continent of Africa was artificially divided into Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone and Spanish; not forgetting Arabophone while Africa had similar experiences like other continents, but they are still lacking behind due to our slow pace in removing these barriers. "Our Senegambia brotherhood is a step in the right direction for the removal of the barriers to African unity and economic integration for our general development," he said.

Marong stated that the signing of the protocols like Ecowas free movement of people, goods and services, the development corporation between the two countries and revival of the Senegambia Secretariat are all steps towards African unity. He finally wished GTU/ SUDES a more fruitful and joyous Senegambia Day celebrations. For her part, Antoinette Corr-Jack, secretary general of GTU expressed gratitude to the 32-member delegation from Senegal who came to witness the celebration. She further expressed hope that this bilateral relationship would continue to grow from strength to strength between the two countries. She thanked GTU/SUDES for working very hard to make the day a reality.

Seynabou Gaye, the women's wing leader of SUDES also expressed gratitude for witnessing the Brotherhood Day celebration. She revealed that the teachers teach the presidents, doctors, engineers, architects, etc. She then called on the two organisations to strengthen their bilateral relationship.

Momodou Bamba Jeng, representing the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, expressed delight and gratitude at witnessing the Senegambia Brotherhood Day celebrations between the two countries. He stated that the Senegambia Brotherhood is an initiative that comes at the right time and that the opportunity would not come from any other people than the teachers.

He said the theme is promoting regional integration and cohesion between the two countries and history lessons has unveiled the collaboration and partnership between the people of Senegambia. He also called for the need to mobilise resources through fundraising for sustainable development.

Jeng went on to describe the Senegambia Brotherhood Day as a worthy demonstration that can bring about African unity both politically and economically. He urged GTU / SUDES to strengthen the bilateral relationship, saying their partnership is moving to the right direction.
He finally thanked the teachers for their tireless efforts in promoting the ideals of their partnership and resources in educating the people of the nation.  

Other speakers at the occasion include Momodou Diouf, general secretary of SUDES; Fatoumatta Jarju Khan, GTU Women's Wing chairperson; Madam Leigh, Senegalese High Commissioner; Essa Jallow, the delegation leader from Senegal; Essa Sowe, deputy general secretary. The vote of thanks was delivered by Fatoumatta Saho-Cham.

At the end of the programme, the two organisations GTU and SUDES received gifts of appreciation for their participation in the Senegambia Brotherhood Day celebration. Certificates were also given to ex-GTU executive members who served from 2004-
2009.

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