Senegalese Soldiers Intimidate Gifanga Alkalo: Shocking Revelation of Shelling and Forced Photography Amidst Heavy Clashes
By Modou L. Badjie
In 2021 and 2023, the Senegalese Armed Forces clashed with the MFDC militants along Gambia’s Southern border. In a bid to understand the gravity of the situation unfolding on the border belt, a delegation comprising lawmakers from the Five Constituencies of Foni, the National Security Council (NSC), and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) embarked on a day-long fact-finding mission to the border villages. The primary objective was clear – to assess the impact of the conflict on the affected communities and provide much-needed support and consolation.
During this mission, the delegation, led by Minister of Defence Sering Modou Njie, encountered a crucial meeting held in Gifanga Village. In this gathering, Alkalo Modou Gibba laid bare the harrowing experiences faced by his community. He revealed that the village had come under heavy bombardment from mortar shells and other projectiles, as he recounted the terrifying moments that had forced some families to abandon their homes in search of safety.
The revelations from Alkalo Gibba added a disturbing layer to the narrative, as he detailed the intimidating behavior of the Senegalese Forces. During their operations, they entered Gambian territory and forcefully took pictures of the Alkalo after inspecting his phone, raising serious concerns about the violation of privacy and the level of aggression faced by the local population.
The delegation’s visit extended to other areas affected by the conflict, including an assessment of Senegalese Forces’ actions and the impact on the residents. This comprehensive exploration allowed the lawmakers and security officials to gather firsthand information, enabling them to better comprehend the challenges faced by the border communities.
The visit included an area where one Dowa Badjie had fallen victim to Senegalese Forces. He was reportedly shot by Senegalese soldiers and apparently still under their custody since the incident occurred.
In Gilanfari Village, another hotspot in the conflict, the Alkalo of the village, Kawsu Badjie, stressed the urgent need for authorities to bolster security in the border villages. Residents, including Modou Gibba of Gifanga, Ma Lamin Colley of Karunorr and Pa Sanyang of Gikess Dando echoed similar sentiments.
Ousman Jarjou of Kangabalache Village shared a personal tragedy, recounting the destruction of his house by an artillery shell. His belongings, including tons of groundnut and a significant amount of cash, were lost in the attack. Thankfully, there were no casualties as there was no one at home at the time, although a donkey was injured.
As the day-long exercise concluded, Minister of Defence Sering Modou Njie summarised the National Security Council’s assessment of the tour. Stressing the importance of the interface with affected communities, he noted that the gathered information would be presented to the Chairman of the National Security Council, President Adama Barrow. The hope is that decisions will be made promptly to address the escalating crisis and protect the border villages from further harm.