Thousands
of Gambians and other nationals that fled The Gambia at the height of the
political impasse have started to return since Sunday.
At
least 45,000 people had fled from The Gambia to Senegal, according to United
Nations refugee agency, UNHCR.
One
of the returnees, Amie Jallow, told The Point newspaper that she was in
Casamance with her family (8 people) since last Monday.
She
said: “I thank the Almighty for giving us peace and stability. I also thank
President Macky Sall and his government for assisting many Gambians who found
refuge in Senegal.”
She
also hailed ECOWAS for successfully mediating the impasse that followed the
then incumbent Yahya Jammeh’s rejection of the result of the 1st December
presidential election.
Another
returnee, Abdoulie Njie, a native of Brikama, said he went to Senegal, Kaolack
Medina, with a dozen members of his family.
Mr
Njie thanked the Khalifa General of Nyassen, people of Medina Bai and the
Senegalese government for the warm welcome accorded to him and other refugees.
“Senegalese
showed us that we are related in blood and are the same people,” he said, while
praying for President Macky Sall, for the lead role he played in making sure
that the voice of Gambian people stands and is respected.
Amie
Jobe, a native of Serrekunda and a market vendor, said she went to Mbour with
her family, for safety.
She
said during their stay, two of her kids were sick but the Senegalese
authorities and Senegalese relatives gave her all the support needed in giving
the proper medical treatment to the children.
There
was treatment, food and shelter was provided free, Mrs Jobe said.
