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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 21:31:47
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SEVERAL HUNDRED REFUGEES IN FONI
By Yaya Dampha
The fighting in Casamance has forced many people to seek sanctuary in the Gambia. The refugees who are from the villages of Kuram, Kabakel, Penam and Eloli in the Cassamance are staying with their family members in Kafuta and Kafuta Tumbung. According to the Alkalo of Kafuta Tumbung, Mr. Ansumana Jarju, there were over four hundred refugees in his village, but most of these people have now gone to Serekunda and Brikama. He said that as at now, only one hundred refugees are living in his village.
He said the refugees are now receiving support from World Food Programme and UNHCR.
In Ndemban, there are over six hundred refugees who are staying with their relatives and are receiving aid from the UNHCR and WFP. Mr. Buba Jarju, a refugee in Kafuta Tumbung said he came from Kabakel in Cassamance when the rebels attacked their village and held many hostages. He said the Senegalese Forces later repelled the rebels from the village.
Mr. Malang Sanyang from Eloli said there was a struggle between the Jakai rebels and forces of Alexandra Gibba, who is currently detained at Mile Two Central Prison. Sanyang said the Jakai rebels were able to flush out Gibba’s fighters and they have since taken control of the area. Another refugee in Somita, Bubacarr Badjie said the Jakai rebels are gaining the upper hand in the struggle to control territories in Cassamance. He said this group often attacks the rebel factions in the area, especially when they learned that another rebel group has seized a village. He described the Jakai rebels as a disciplined force that does not engage in taking villagers as hostages. He said the rebels have scattered since the deployment of the Senegalese Forces at the border.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.71/2007, June 20 – 21 June 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 10:49:12
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| what do the rebels want, do they want the land for themselves |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:42:03
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| jambo, until now all I know is those rebels want an independent Casamance. I would be grateful if someone could give us more background information. This whole thing is very dubious. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:44:20
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OKAY, Independency from whom |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:54:47
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From Senegal, of course. I don't know if the Casamance rebels and their collegues in Guinea really want to make the whole subregion a patchwork of myriads of small states...
Some related questions: Are the refugees allowed to stay in Gambia, are they mostly Jolas? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 18:26:55
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I imagine it to be a bit like the disagreements there have been in Uk about Northern ireland, scotland and wales. Also in Spain with the Basque areas.
I am interested to know about the level of interest amongst ordinary people in Cassamance. Do they want independence? If so, why? Is it a tribal argument? A religious one? A historic one? Or a geographical one? Do they want to be part of Gambia?
If it is a small extreme group it needs to be dealt with by Senegal, but if it is more that they are fighting on behalf of the people of the region with their blessing then they should be listened to to avoid blood shed.
Across the world we have seen groups of people clumped together by political decisions gradually or suddenly falling apart and new more natural, smaller boundaries forming. Thinking USSR, Romanian etc... It seems people prefer a smaller unit. Although the European community is growing it seems national identity is still important.
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