Gambia: a lull hoped for after clashes between Gambians and Senegalese in Sanyang
Photo showing Gambian security forces deployed in Banjul, December 5, 2016. (Illustrative photo) AP - Jerome Delay
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
More than 250 Senegalese nationals, according to the Gambian Red Cross, fled the fishing village of Sanyang, some 40 kilometers south of Banjul, after clashes between Senegalese and Gambians last week.
It all started with the death of a Gambian, stabbed in the night of March 14 to 15 by a Senegalese fisherman who was trying to rob him.
Riots broke out in the locality.
The Senegalese authorities are trying to ease tensions.
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Charlotte Idrac
One death, ransacked shops, canoes and a police station burnt down, dozens of Senegalese families took refuge in a school in the neighboring town of Batokunku, under the protection of the Gambian police… How did we get there?
Bassirou Sène, the Senegalese ambassador in Banjul, speaks:
“
For the first time, we have reached this level of violence.
There was an attempted burglary, stopped by the victim, who was fatally injured.
It all started from there.
We did not expect that.
The Senegalese community lives in perfect harmony with the Gambian population.
In Sanyang, some have lived there for 50 years!
"
Senegalese nationals returning, in principle, at the end of the week
“
The same people
”, “
brotherly countries
”… The Senegalese President,
Macky Sall
, and his Gambian counterpart,
Adama Barrow
, show their closeness at every opportunity.
But on the ground, relations "
are more complex
", underlines one observer, in particular with the Senegalese military presence which continues within the framework of the
ECOWAS
peacekeeping force
.
Ambassador Bassirou Sène warns of the risks of amalgamation: “
I presented the regrets of the entire Senegalese nation and asked that people agree to renew relations and revive the economy.
The basis is the economics of fishing.
"
After discussions and awareness raising to avoid a resurgence of tensions, the return of the Senegalese to Sanyang is expected, in principle, by Friday March 26.
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Gambia
Senegal
Macky sal
Adama barrow
ECOWAS