The governments of The Gambia and Senegal have reached a significant breakthrough
in resolving the recent border disputes that disrupted farming activities in several
communities, paving the way for affected farmers to return to their fields.
According to a government press release issued on August 6, 2026, the development
follows diplomatic engagement initiated by President Adama Barrow, who dispatched
Foreign Affairs Minister Sering Modou Njie as special envoy to Senegalese President
Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The Gambia-Senegal Border Commission and the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent
Secretariat subsequently held fruitful deliberations on the border issues affecting
farming communities. The government has now encouraged farmers affected by the
dispute to resume their farming activities, stating that the situation has been resolved
through diplomatic engagement.
The border crisis first flared in mid-July 2026 when Senegalese Gendarmerie stormed
the Gambian border settlement of Bullock in the West Coast Region, demolishing a
200-meter fence belonging to a Gambian military post. Senegalese authorities then
issued notices to Gambian farmers instructing them to vacate farmlands, claiming the
areas formed part of Senegalese territory.
Investigations by The Alkamba Times (TAT) revealed that similar notices were issued to
farmers in Jimbala Kerr Musa in Lower Saloum District, as well as in Njau and
Panchang Makka Gui in Upper Saloum District. The notices also reached communities
in the Lower River Region and Gambissa in the Upper River Region.
In the huddle, farmers described the confrontations with Senegalese Gendarmerie,
where Ebrima Ceesay recounted an encounter on July 18: “While working on my maize
farm, I saw three pick-up trucks approaching me. When I took a second Look, I realised
that these were not Gambian officers but Senegalese soldiers. They abruptly stopped
just next to my garden, disembarked, and one of them came out with a map and started
pointing at our farmlands, saying it was all part of Senegal.”
Muhammed Ceesay observed that forcing Gambian farmers off their land at the height
of the rainy season undermines the long-standing cordial relationship between the two
neighbouring countries.
In response, Government Spokesperson Ebrima G. Sankareh announced the
breakthrough on Thursday 6th August 2026, stating that President Barrow’s diplomatic
initiative had yielded positive results. The government urged farmers and members of
the public to remain law-abiding and comply with regulations governing land use and
cross-border movement.
Officials confirmed that the two Border Commissions, working alongside the Permanent
Secretariat, will continue public sensitisation efforts, border consolidation, and the
reaffirmation of agreed boundary arrangements. The government pledged to keep the
public informed as discussions between Banjul and Dakar continue.
The development is expected to ease tensions in border communities and allow farmers
to continue the ongoing agricultural season after weeks of uncertainty over access to
farmland. The resolution underscores the priority both governments place on dialogue
and good-neighbourly relations.
