Senegal is flexing its diplomatic muscle after two of its nationals were executed by firing squad in Gambia on Sunday.

Senegalese President Macky Sall addressed his nation and said he had summoned Gambia's ambassador after confirming the two people were among the nine prisoners shot dead.

Sall condemned the killings and asked that Gambian authorities spare the life of a third Senegalese death row inmate set to be executed to keep peace between the two nations.

Residents in the capital Dakar echoed Sall's sentiments.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) YEBHE DIALLO, POST GRADUATE STUDENT IN AFRICAN AND POST COLONIAL STUDIES AT DAKAR UNIVERSITY, SAYING:

"First of all I find this deplorable, truly appalling, maybe these people deserved to be in prison for life but to execute them like this, particularly as they say that certain [prisoners] are political prisoners, so it's not people who are mixed up in criminal behaviour only."

The inmates were ordered killed by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who vowed to kill all 40 prisoners on death row to quote "ensure that criminals get what they deserve."

His stance has spurred anger from human rights advocates who say Gambia's justice system does not comply with international law since several offenses, including arson, treason and drug trafficking carry the death penalty.