Bensouda, Mai Fatty condemn Senegal’s incursion into Gambia’s territory

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE Party and Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, has called on President Adama Barrow to publicly condemn the reported demolition of part of a Gambian military camp in Foni Bullock by Senegalese soldiers, saying the country’s sovereignty must be protected regardless of its close relationship with neighbouring Senegal.

Speaking in a video posted on his Facebook page, Mr Bensouda described reports that Senegalese troops used bulldozers to demolish sections of a Gambia Armed Forces camp as deeply troubling, insisting that the matter requires an immediate response from the nation’s leadership.

“More concerning is that the President of the nation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has not come out to assure Gambians or to condemn this act,” Mr Bensouda said.

He argued that the government’s silence had only heightened public concern, stressing that moments of national uncertainty demand clear and decisive leadership.

According to Mr Bensouda, while The Gambia and Senegal have enjoyed a longstanding partnership,that relationship should never come at the expense of the country’s sovereignty.

“We are partners with the Senegalese, but we have our own country, but this is what happens when you outsource your  security and energy; nations don’t take you seriously.”

The UNITE Party leader said President Barrow should draw a red line by making it clear that any action perceived as violating Gambian sovereignty is unacceptable, irrespective of the ties between the two neighbouring countries. 

Gambiaeconomic insights

Mr Bensouda also linked the reported incident to the wider political debate ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election, saying the polls would provide citizens with an opportunity to judge how national leaders respond to matters affecting security and sovereignty.

He questioned whether Gambians wanted a commander-in-chief who remained silent at a time when citizens were worried about their personal safety and the country’s territorial integrity.

MrBensouda further argued that The Gambia needs leadership that prioritises stronger energy, food and border security, maintaining that these sectors are critical to safeguarding the country’s independence and securing its long-term stability.

He said the reported incident should serve as a reminder that protecting national sovereignty remains one of the primary responsibilities of the country’s leadership.

GMC’s position

The Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) has issued a strong condemnation of the events at the Bulock Military Border Post on July 16, describing the actions of Senegalese forces as a “grave and provocative act” against Gambian sovereignty.

In a statement signed by Party Leader Mai Ahmad Fatty, the GMC rejected Senegal’s explanation that the demolition of a Gambian Armed Forces perimeter installation was rooted in unresolved border concerns. The party insisted that such grievances must be addressed through established bilateral mechanisms, not unilateral military action.

“No nation negotiates its sovereignty,” the statement declared. “A grievance nursed for years is an argument for urgent recourse to the Joint Military Committee and other diplomatic channels. It is not, under any recognised principle of international law, a licence for one state to unilaterally alter facts on the ground inside another state’s sovereign territory.”

The GMC commended the Gambian Armed Forces for their discipline and professionalism in the face of provocation, and praised the government’s composed handling of the incident. However, the party stressed that restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. 

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“Senegal should take no comfort from Gambian restraint,” the statement continued. “It is an invitation to correct course through legitimate means, extended once, in good faith.”

The party urged President Adama Barrow to raise the matter directly with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the upcoming ECOWAS Summit, warning that tolerating such incursions would set a dangerous precedent for the region.

 “A precedent tolerated quietly in Bulock today is a precedent available to be repeated, against The Gambia or any other member state, tomorrow,” the GMC cautioned.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the party’s “full and unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of The Gambia”.

Source: The Point