By Fatou Sillah
Almameh Gibba, the National Assembly member for Foni Kansala, has criticized the Gambian government’s handling of recurring border issues with Senegal, arguing that stronger political leadership is needed to safeguard the country’s sovereignty while maintaining constructive relations with its neighbor.
In an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Gibba said the challenges along the Gambia-Senegal border are rooted in a long and complex history, noting that communities in the Foni region have maintained deep social, cultural, and economic ties with neighboring communities in Senegal’s Casamance region for generations.
He said families on both sides of the border have long shared kinship, traded goods, and farmed across the frontier, relationships that predate the modern boundary between the two countries.
While emphasizing the importance of diplomacy, Mr. Gibba argued that the government must also demonstrate resolve when dealing with issues affecting the country’s national interests.
“The problem that we have as a country is weak leadership. The fear is that I am installed by Senegal; therefore, if I do anything, Senegal can change its position,” he said.
Mr. Gibba also linked the government’s current approach to the aftermath of The Gambia’s 2016-17 political impasse, suggesting that President Adama Barrow’s experience during the transition of power has shaped his relationship with Senegal.
He contrasted the current administration’s response with that of former President Yahya Jammeh, citing the government’s handling of a 2009 border dispute, which he said was marked by a more forceful public response.
Despite his criticism, Mr. Gibba said maintaining good relations with Senegal remains essential, given the two countries’ shared history and interconnected border communities. He argued, however, that diplomatic engagement should not come at the expense of protecting The Gambia’s sovereignty and national interests.
He added that the longstanding social and familial ties between communities on both sides of the border make such disputes particularly sensitive, requiring a careful balance between preserving bilateral relations and defending the country’s territorial interests.
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