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Momodou
Denmark
11607 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Dec 2010 : 18:28:13
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Gambia-Senegal Border Situation Any Changes As Relation Sours?
By Lamin Sanyang
The recent turn of events in the relations between the governments of the Gambia and Senegal in the past week has raised concerns among people in The Gambia. The allegations of Gambia Government complicity relating to the arms seized in Nigeria over Walfajri, a Senegalese private electronic media followed by a policy statement on Senegalo-Gambian relation issued by the Secretary General of the Civil Service which accused the President of Senegal of hostile intentions against the Gambia has led to concerns being raised by Gambians and Senegalese alike. The diplomatic relations between the two governments, have become a burning issue as people question the repercussions of the allegations and counter allegations on the long standing peaceful co-existence and mutually beneficial relations between peoples of the two countries who share close socio-cultural and economic ties. Governments come and go but the people remain. The concerns expressed compelled Foroyaa to monitor the Gambia-Senegal border to find out what impact the souring of relations have on the day to day lives of the people of the two countries. This reporter was assigned to go to the Giboro Seleti border to get the facts.
Visiting the border between the Gambia and Senegal at the Giboro-Seleti Posts, this reporter endeavoured to interview the officials in charge of the Senegalese border post at Seleti on the current situation. The officer in charge was said to have travelled. Talking to his deputy, Monsieur Oumar Colley, said that the situation at the border crossing at the moment is normal and that the traffic is going as usual.
On whether he is aware of the official pronouncements being made, Monsieur Colley said they too heard the problem in the news just like people did in the Gambia. He said the issue may be between the top officials of the two countries and that as such they are not in position to know what is behind the pronouncements nor able to do anything about it.
Monsieur Edrisa Jarjue, alias Touray, chef de garage at the Seleti car park, when contacted, said they also heard about the issue on the radio but added that it does not affect transport between the two countries. He said the people of the two countries are co-existing peacefully and the relationship is still strong.
On the Gambian side, attempts were made to talk to the security officials at the Giboro Border Post. He however declined to make comments, saying that they have received directives not to talk to the press. They referred the reporter to their PRO adding that they always send daily reports to headquarters. When they were told that the Senegalese security officials have openly shared their impressions regarding the situation at the border, their response was that the policy in Senegal is not the same as the one in Gambia.
For his part, Mr. Lamin Janneh, the head of the Giboro car park, confirmed hearing the developments regarding the relations between the two governments on GRTS television. He however said that the situation at the border crossing still remains normal and unaffected. He described the relations that exist between them (transporters) and their Senegalese counterparts and also the people of the two countries as always cordial and very strong. He said they used to contribute money whenever one of them has a naming ceremony on any side of the border.
Editor’s Note
Foroyaa is monitoring all border crossings and will continue to report on our findings.
Source: Foroyaa
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