By Seedy Jobe
A member of the National Assembly on Tuesday voiced alarm over what he described as an intensifying and “terrifying” armed confrontation along the country’s southern border with Senegal, calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard civilians and uphold national sovereignty.
Bakary K. Badjie, who represents the Foni Bintang Karanai constituency, said reports of cross-border shelling in communities near the frontier—particularly in the villages of Gifanga and Sibanor—have heightened fears among residents and raised urgent questions about the government’s response to the situation.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Kerr Fatou on Tuesday, Mr. Badjie said that the sound and frequency of the bombardment had left communities on edge, with some residents uncertain about the scale or origin of the conflict unfolding nearby.
“The bombardment has been going on within the borderline, and the constant explosions produce a terrifying sound,” he said. “People cannot even fully comprehend what is happening, but they are living in fear.”
The reported incidents come amid longstanding instability in Senegal’s southern Casamance region, where a low-level separatist conflict has persisted for decades and occasionally spilled over into neighboring Gambian territory. While the extent of the latest confrontation remains unclear, Mr. Badjie suggested that the proximity of the violence to civilian areas in The Gambia demanded urgent intervention.
In a press statement issued a day earlier, Mr. Badjie had already raised concerns about what he described as an “imminent armed confrontation” affecting border communities. On Tuesday, he expanded on those concerns, accusing the Gambian government of failing to respond adequately to the unfolding situation.
“The government is not doing anything; they are mute over the matter as if nothing is happening,” he said. “We expect the government to stand with the Gambian people, to demonstrate concern for the country, and to respond appropriately and in a timely manner.”
He emphasized that the protection of life and property is a fundamental responsibility of the state, adding that the government must act both diplomatically and, if necessary, through security measures to ensure that Gambian territory is respected.
“The government should make it clear to Senegal that The Gambia is a sovereign state and must be respected, regardless of our size or the nature of our relationship,” he said.
Mr. Badjie called on the president and the minister of defense to engage directly with their Senegalese counterparts in an effort to de-escalate tensions and find a lasting solution to the cross-border incidents. He suggested that the presence of Gambian security forces in affected areas indicates that senior officials are likely aware of the situation, but he questioned their willingness to act decisively.
“The minister and the president are fully informed,” he said. “The only problem is that they are not ready to take action.”
The lawmaker also expressed frustration with procedural limitations within the National Assembly, which he said have hindered his ability to formally raise the issue and prompt broader parliamentary debate. He criticized the assembly’s recent refusal to allow adjournment debates, describing the development as unprecedented and detrimental to democratic oversight.
“For nine months, the National Assembly has not accepted adjournment debates,” he said. “That is very unacceptable. It has never happened in the history of this country that such debates are consistently blocked.”
Adjournment debates, he noted, are one of the few mechanisms available to lawmakers to draw urgent national attention to emerging issues, including security concerns. Without that platform, he said, it becomes more difficult to ensure that matters affecting citizens receive immediate and thorough consideration.
Despite his criticism of the government, Mr. Badjie urged Gambians to remain united and vigilant, emphasizing the shared responsibility of citizens to defend the nation and support one another in times of uncertainty.
“The only country we have is The Gambia,” he said. “Protecting any part of it is protecting the entire country — whether it is Jarra Soma, Kiang, Basse, Bansang, or Farafenni.”
He reiterated his appeal directly to residents of his constituency in Foni, where anxiety has reportedly grown as news of the bombardment spreads. He called for calm but underscored the seriousness of the situation, urging national leaders to respond swiftly.
“This is a very sensitive matter,” he said. “It is important that the president is fully alerted to how Gambians are being affected within their own territory.”
As of Tuesday, the Gambian government had not publicly responded to Mr. Badjie’s remarks.
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