By Fatou Sillah
Almameh Gibba, the National Assembly member for Foni Kansala, has warned that residents of Foni are prepared to defend The Gambia’s territorial integrity if the government fails to adequately address security concerns along the country’s border with Senegal.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Gibba expressed concern about what he described as weaknesses in The Gambia’s border security following recent tensions involving Senegalese soldiers in Foni. He urged the government to treat the situation with greater urgency.
Mr. Gibba said he had previously raised the matter in the National Assembly. During an adjournment debate in 2024, he said, he questioned the defense minister about reports that Gambian soldiers stationed in Darsilameh were prohibited from wearing Gambian military uniforms or carrying weapons at certain checkpoints because of the border situation.
He warned that a failure to secure the country’s boundaries could have lasting consequences.
“If the leadership is not serious, we will have a small Gambia that we will regret for the rest of our lives,” Mr. Gibba said. “But I am putting it to you that we are ready to die for our country, defend our territorial integrity.”
Mr. Gibba said residents could resort to what he called “Plan B,” which he described as reorganizing themselves to protect Foni’s traditional boundaries. He did not explain what such an effort would entail.
“I am sending the signal to the government that we in Foni will use Plan B—that is, re-strategize and reorganize ourselves to make sure that, traditionally, our borderline will be protected,” he said.
He also accused Senegal of encroaching on Gambian territory and questioned why Senegalese troops were reportedly able to move through parts of Foni without being accompanied by Gambian forces. His allegations could not be independently verified.
“The Senegalese soldiers in Foni can roam the length and breadth of Foni without being accompanied by Gambian soldiers,” Mr. Gibba said. “The Gambia is just like an egg in the hands of the security of Senegal.”
Mr. Gibba called for stronger security measures and greater vigilance by the Gambian authorities to protect the country’s borders.
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