Gambia and Senegal Navies Companion in Joint Patrol to Bolster Maritime Safety – The Gambia Journal

Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a sturdy demonstration of regional cooperation, the navies of The Gambia and Senegal efficiently carried out a joint maritime patrol on December 28, 2024, inside The Gambia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The operation, which spanned roughly 10 hours, aimed to boost maritime safety and defend very important marine sources as a part of ongoing initiatives underneath the Joint Military Committee of the 2 nations’ armed forces.

The patrol was carried out by two naval vessels: GNS FANKANTA from The Gambia Navy and LAC RETBA from the Senegal Navy.

The mission included boarding and inspecting 5 fishing vessels to make sure compliance with maritime rules. Two vessels, ABO ISLAM—an Egyptian-owned ship flying the Gambian flag—and FAYAKO, a Senegalese vessel, have been apprehended for violating maritime legal guidelines.

According to the Public Relations division of The Gambia Armed Forces, “This operation highlights the rising synergy between the navies of The Gambia and Senegal in addressing unlawful fishing and guaranteeing the sustainable use of marine sources. Both navies emphasised their dedication to sustaining peace and safety within the area whereas advancing useful resource administration efforts important to their nations’ financial and environmental well-being“.

The Gambia Navy expressed gratitude for the exemplary cooperation demonstrated by their Senegalese counterparts throughout the mission, describing the partnership as a testomony to the professionalism and dedication of each forces.

The Navy reaffirmed its dedication to additional strengthening bilateral efforts to confront shared maritime challenges.

This profitable collaboration underscores the significance of unity in securing West Africa’s waters, fostering a shared imaginative and prescient for sustainable improvement and mutual prosperity.