The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday 1 January 2024 was in the Fonis on a fact finding mission. It could be recalled that the Senegalese Armed Forces clashed with elements of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Cassamance (MFDC) sometime in 2021 and 2023 along our Southern border with the Republic of Senegal. The spillover effect of the conflict had affected Gambians living in the border villages of Jiffanga, Kusamai, Siwol, Tamba Kunda, Jillanfari, Karunorr, Balenh, Gikesh, Kantimba and Kappa.
The intermittent fighting, according to reports, caused disruption of economic activities such as farming due to heavy bombardment and exchange of fire, including mortar shells and other projectiles. It was also reported that, these shells, which sometimes land on the Gambian side of the border do not explode on impact. The fighting had eventually led to an influx and displacement of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as closure of schools. It had left a lot of Gambians in the area traumatized and in fear causing villagers to evacuate the most vulnerable ones, such as the elderly, women and children to safer zones.
It is against this backdrop that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Adama Barrow dispatched members of the NSC to visit the affected communities in Foni.
The aim of the visit was to commiserate with them as well as gather firsthand information on the situation in these Villages. The delegation comprised of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and the Interior, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff of the y Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Director General of State Intelligence Services, NAMs and Chiefs of Foni, the Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency and other stakeholders. Details of the engagements by the delegation will be provided in subsequent releases.
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