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The Honorable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Ambassador Sheikh Omar Faye, on 8 July 2020 visited Sareh Omar village in the Jarra Central Constituency. The village was a scene of a stand-off between Senegalese troops and residents a couple of months ago. The objective of the visit was to de-escalate existing tensions and promote reconciliation in the area.
It could be recalled that on 20 May 2020 Senegalese Armed Forces personnel posted in one guard post in Amdalai in Senegal crossed the border and entered the Gambian territory. However, reports indicated that those forces claimed to have lost their way. During their entry they had a bitter confrontation with some villages and other bystanders. Videos of the incident went viral on social media and it caused a major outcry from Gambians both home and Abroad. As part of the reconciliation efforts the Honourable Minister visited the area to have firsthand information so as to make an informed decision. The village of Sarre Omar is a timber landing site and its serves as a conduit to the smuggled timbers from Senegal.
Speaking earlier, the National Assembly Member of the area told the villagers that the Minister’s visit was meant to promote reconciliation and ensure peace continue to exist between the Gambia and Senegal. He lamented on the realities of climate change and the indiscriminate cutting down of trees contributes to climate change. He further urged the villagers to avoid cutting logs from the Senegalese side of the border.
The Honorable Minister for his part thanked the villagers for the maturity they manifested during the stand-off. He urged them not to take the law into their own hands but rather should be law abiding and report to the law enforcement agencies or to the local authorities of any abnormality. He used the opportunity of the visit to enjoin them to uphold peace and promote peaceful co-existence with their neighbours on the other side of the border as we are condemn by destiny to co-habit.
Other speakers included the representative of the District Chief, the Alkalo of Sareh Omar village and youth representatives in the area. All the speakers took turns to commend the Honourable Minister of Defence and His Excellency the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for taking such laudable initiative.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by the National Assembly Member of the area, his Military Assistant, the GAF Liaison Officer at the Ministry and a representative of the Chief of Defence Staff.