Prominent opposition politician Mai Ahmed Fatty has denounced the skirmishes between Senegalese soldiers and  Casamance-based MFDC rebel forces on the border of The Gambia. 

The clashes have left at least two Senegalese soldiers dead and forced dozens of Gambians on the border villages to flee their homes. 

“The adverse, subjective feelings of certain class of Gambians towards the ECOMIG presence here, affords no justification for the illegal intrusion of Casamance rebel forces into Gambian territory. 

“It is a violation of our sovereignty and amounts to a declaration of war. When unprovoked war is declared upon a nation, patriotism demands that ALL Gambians unite to fight, defeat and neutralise the invaders. 

“We must put all political differences aside and unite to defend our sovereignty against foreign rebel incursions. We can debate the presence of ECOWAS, and it’s a legitimate one,” said Mr Fatty. 

He continued: “Yet, your seeming hatred against Senegal or their presence here, should not turn you against your own country. Let us have a positive national conversation on the need or otherwise of ECOMIG. Fair enough. That is what all civilised nations do.

“An armed attack from Casamance rebels against foreign forces present at the legitimate invitation of our country, is a military attack against our country. We must not let our strong feelings against ECOMIG presence, or troops from Senegal under separate bilateral Agreement, disable our republican civic duty to protect our country against unprovoked rebel aggression on Gambian soil. 

“MFDC should challenge Senegalese forces inside Senegal. Even with their massive presence in Foni, there has never been a military attack launched by Senegalese forces from The Gambia against the MFDC. This was an unacceptable, heinous provocation and military aggression against the Republic of The Gambia.”

According to Mr Fatty, who is also the leader of The Gambia Moral Congress, it is illegal for any troop-contributing state to use their presence in The Gambia, as pretext to advance their strategic geopolitical interests, contrary to our national economic, political and security interests.

“It is illegal and unconstitutional for any foreign force present in The Gambia, under any guise, to interfere in the implementation of our domestic laws, including alleged smuggling of any nature, and in our general internal affairs. 

“Foreign forces such as ECOMIG, should not ordinarily be involved in conducting routine police duties,” he continued.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba