By Lamin Njie
Gambian troops and their Senegal counterparts were reportedly involved in a heated exchange in the border town of Darsilami, Kombo Central, sources have told The Fatu Network.
The reported exchange came after heavily armed Senegalese troops attempted to enter The Gambia.
“The incident happened this morning. The Senegalese troops said they wanted to come and greet the alkalo [of Darsilami],” a source said.
Army acting spokesman Malick Sanyang did not pick a call for comment.
ECOMIG, the intervention force that came to the country following former president Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to step down after losing the 2016 elections, is mostly composed of Senegalese troops. Their presence in the country has not been sitting well with members of the Gambia Armed Forces, as it has relegated them to the back.
Meanwhile a top official of the Gambian army told The Fatu Network Wednesday evening there was a scuffle but it was purely due to ‘miscommunication’.
“There was a change of leadership on the Senegalese side and they were on a familiarisation tour. Our troops were not informed of them coming but it has been resolved.
“And this issue has nothing to do with the Gambian army not being happy with the presence of ECOMIG. In fact, that’s not true. We are very much happy to have them here, that’s why are troops are being trained in Senegal for example,” he added.
