The
Gambia government has issued a statement saying it is neither considering
placing troops on Cassamance soil nor offering the use of Gambian territory as
a launching pad for any attack on the MFDC rebels in Cassamance.
The
statement was issued to ease tension among the communities living along the
Foni/Cassamance border amidst speculations that the Gambian territory would be
used as launching pad by Senegalese ECOMIG troops to carry out attacks on MFDC
bases in the Cassamance.
“The
affected communities, citizens of The Gambia and all people living in The
Gambia are hence advised to go about their normal business in peace and
contentment," the Office of the
President said in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public
Relations at State House.
“The
Gambia government wishes to categorically state that The Gambia will not also
on the other hand allow the use of its territory by any person or groups of
armed or unarmed individuals to destabilise or incite violence in the
Cassamance or any other part of the world.”
Below
is the full statement from the Office of the President:
PRESS
STATEMENT TO ADDRESS THE STATE OF UNEASE ON THE GAMBIA CASSAMANCE BORDER ALONG
THE WEST COAST REGION
The
government of the Gambia under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama
Barrow wishes to reassure the Gambian people of its commitment to peace in The
Gambia, the sub region, especially the Southern Senegal region of Cassamance
and the world over.
It
is in this light that President Barrow being a true believer in the value of
peace and peaceful neighborliness during his recent visit to Senegal offered to
his brother President Macky Sall and the people of Senegal his personal
commitment and the willingness of his government to support the sisterly
republic of Senegal in finding a lasting solution to the over three decade old
conflict in the Cassamance region of Southern Senegal.
President
Barrow and his government believe that sustainable and positive peace in the
Cassamance is in the common interest of all people, both governments and the
entire sub-region.
The
Gambia government therefore considers it as a common moral duty to work
together with Senegal and indeed all foreign countries for the stability of our
region so that our citizenry can pursue their daily lives in peace and to
enable government to bring about much needed development.
Therefore
on the Cassamance issue, again the position of the Gambia government is to
sincerely and in good faith adopt and pursue a friendly and impartial stance in
the search for a durable solution to this conflict. This is the pledge, plea
and prayer of the Gambia government.
However,
in recent days the Gambia government has noted with concern, that many debates
and discussions in various quarters across the Gambia and abroad on the
position of the Gambia government on the Cassamance situation has been
misconstrued.
This
is amidst speculations that the Gambian territory will be used as launching pad
by Senegalese ECOMIG troops to carry out attacks on MFDC bases in the
Cassamance with others going further to assert that Gambian soldiers will
participate along in the event of military attack on the MFDC.
Such
rumours have apparently placed great pains on Gambian communities living along
the Foni/Cassamance border who are apprehensive over the consequences of an
outbreak of hostilities between Senegalese military and MFDC.
This
statement seeks to assure these affected communities in particular and the
Gambian populace in general, that whereas the Gambia government has committed
itself to supporting the Senegalese government find durable peace in the
Cassamance, The Gambia is neither considering placing troops on Cassamance soil
nor offering the use of its territory as a launching pad for any attack on the
MFDC.
The
affected communities, citizens of The Gambia and all people living in The
Gambia are hence advised to go about their normal business in peace and
contentment.
That
said the Gambia government wishes to categorically state that The Gambia will
not also on the other hand allow the use of its territory by any person or
groups of armed or unarmed individuals to destabilise or incite violence in the
Cassamance or any other part of the world.
