“We the five NAMs of the entire five districts of Foni are condemning the current happenings in Foni. The rebels in Cassamace have been in existence during the Jawara’s regime and they still exist. So, therefore, the problem of the rebels in Cassamace is a Cassamace problem but not a Gambian problem. We feel the people of Foni are not protected; the people of Foni are left in a very volatile demilitarisation area where those occupants – which are the Senegalese ECOMIG Forces in Foni are taking charge of their own destiny in making sure that they can affect the people,” Almameh Gibba the Foni Kansala lawmaker said on behalf of the four other NAMs in an audio The Point obtained.
“We know the purpose of Senegalese forces in Foni is to counter the rebel forces. It has been cooked and well planned. Sons and daughters of Foni are arrested; sons and daughters of Foni are detained in Kanilai and sons and daughters of Foni are arrested and taken to Senegal. This is not news to everybody. It’s true and it has happened. An alkalo was arrested and his brother was also arrested. Again, a detective officer was arrested and taken to Senegal. If they think the current problem happening in Foni is a Foni problem, they are making a great mistake. This could bring instability,” he warned.
“We the NAMs of the Foni region are condemning the current happening in Foni. This has been happening over six years now and it’s still continuing. This had never happened in Jawara’s time and it had never happened in Jammeh’s time. So, the five NAMs of Foni districts are really condemning this act to the highest order. We want the government of The Gambia to take immediate actions to make sure the Senegalese Forces in Foni are removed,” he said.
Hon. Gibba added: “Haruna Jatta was shot dead in Foni while exercising his own right and calling for the removal of the Senegalese Forces in Foni. No action was taken. In the same Foni, Ismalie Tamba of Kanilai was also shot with live rounds. This is all as a result of the military occupation. Again, Yankuba Badjie was shot dead. In fact, another boy from Kusamai village was shot two days back and he is still hospitalised. We the five NAMs of Foni districts have worked tirelessly in ensuring that we secure the medical reports of these people,” he emphasised.
“This year, the Senegalese ECOMIG Forces used The Gambian soil to pursue a Gambian driver to Cassamace which could have caused a big problem. However, thanks to The Gambia Armed Forces, the issues were addressed. Notwithstanding, this has led to thousands of people fleeing their homes and thousands of people seeking refuge at the border lines different from their area. This has impacted greatly the farmers of Foni; hence this year will be a failure when it comes to farming activities in the area.”
