(JollofNews) – President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia has said that his country is enjoying a much better relationship with Guinea Bissau than other countries in the sub-region.
Mr Jammeh said Banjul and Bissau have got very good intentions for each other and regularly consult each other on various issues affecting their respective countries and people.
“We are friends and we have good intentions for each other,” Mr Jammeh told reporters at the Coco Ocean Hotel Resort and Spa in Bijilo, where he held a meeting with the president of Guinea Bissau, José Mário Vaz on Tuesday.
“We are the same. We are not pretending to be friends when we are not. We consult each other on a number of issues especially with regard to what is going on in Bissau.”
Mr Jammeh commended the regional group ECOWAS for spearheading efforts to resolve Bissau’s political problems.
“The main source of the problem in Guinea Bissau is their constitution,” Mr Jammeh observed.
“They have taken a constitution that is alien to their culture, where Prime Minister is the head of government and the President is only a figure head. The President does not have much power there, and that is creating a lot of problems. Privileges given to veterans are creating a lot of problems. Let them reform the armed and security forces and the constitution.”
Also speaking to reporters, President Vaz said his country enjoys strong brotherly relations with Gambia and he alway seeks the advice of President Jammeh, whom he described as a brother, owing to his wealth of experience on issues in Bissau.
He commended the Gambian leader for his support and peace efforts in the region.
