The Gambia–Senegal relations

The Gambia–Senegal relations are foreign relations between the two neighbouring West African nations which are part of ECOWAS. A former British colony, the Gambia reached their independence in 1965, while Senegal gained their independence from France in 1960.^[1] Between 1982 and 1989 two countries tried to create Senegambia Confederation intended to promote cooperation and integration between the two closely related countries.^[1] Two countries share long common cultural heritage, languages and identities with differentiation streaming primarily from divergent British and French colonial experience.^[2] The Gambia forms a narrow semi-enclave strip surrounded by Senegal on all sides except for the western part, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.^[3]

First discussions on the relations between the two countries took place already in 1961 while the Gambia was still not formally independent.^[1] In 1964, ahead of Gambian independence, two countries commissioned Van Mook study to explore options for uniting The Gambia and Senegal.^[4] The report proposed three possible models of reunification, but both states ultimately opted to remain independent.^[4] Instead, they formalized cooperation through a Treaty of Association, creating the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat and an Inter-Ministerial Committee.^[4] A year later, a joint Defense and Security agreement established a Joint Committee on Defence.^[4] In his address at the United Nations in 1965 Dawda Jawara underlined the importance of close relations with Senegal for his country.^[1]

• Anglo-French Convention of 1889
• Casamance