#Headlines

Two Senegalese soldiers expelled for foodstuffs ‘theft” at Gambia’s State House

May 2, 2025, 11:00 AM

An unprecedented scandal is rocking security relations between Senegal and The Gambia. Two members of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), stationed at the Gambian Presidential Palace, have been expelled from Banjul for the theft and alleged trafficking of food supplies intended for the Gambian Presidency.

Among those implicated is President Adama Barrow's head of security, a Senegalese officer previously considered an important link in the presidential apparatus.

According to information reported by L'Observateur, the two gendarmes allegedly stole food from the official State House reserve and illegally resold it on the local market.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the two men's phones contained the contact details of several merchants suspected of having sold the stolen goods. Given the seriousness of the incident, they were immediately recalled to Dakar and subsequently dismissed from the ranks of the National Gendarmerie.

One of them, who is contesting the decision, claims to have acted on the orders of a superior officer and has decided to appeal. An official response from the Senegalese gendarmerie was obtained by L'Observateur, without providing any further details on possible additional sanctions.

Source: Senego