More than 2000 children are among displaced people fleeing the fighting between Senegalese troops and MFDC rebels along The Gambia’s southern border. 

The National Disaster Management Agency said in its latest report that 2, 029 children under the age of 5 are currently displaced in Foni due to the MFDC-Senegalese army conflict in Casamance.

It added that a total of 9,973 people have been displaced by the fighting. 

The Senegalese military launched an offensive on 13 March in Casamance against the MFDC forces. 

The fighting has affected Gambian border communities in the Foni Kansala, Bintang Karanai, Berefet, Jarrol and Bondali districts.

“While the clash was taking place in Senegal, bullet shells have reportedly landed in the border communities, causing panic and displacement among them with some Senegalese villages in the Casamance also moving into The Gambia,” the agency said. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba