A MISSION UNDER A MISSION: A THREAT TO GAMBIA'S SECURITY

 

By: Sulayman Lecturer Darboe

January, 25th, 2022

I feel deeply threatened and concerned over the news on social media showing the recent happenings in Foni involving the MFDC Rebels and some Senegalese soldiers who are currently under the ECOMIC mission In The Gambia. It could be recalled that this two sides have a long standing history with each side supporting their own agenda for over a decade. The recent happenings puts the  security situation of The Gambia and particularly Foni at risk and possible explorable ways should be checked to urgently ease this tensions before escalating into something unimaginable.

The last time I checked, ECOMIC has a single agenda in the Gambia regardless of whether the composition of its forces are largely Senegalese soldiers. This agenda should be strictly pursued. The latest happening involving ECOMIC troops does not in any way represent their purpose of coming to Gambia. Truth be told, if the Senegalese soldiers under ECOMIC have a different agenda than  their primary one, then it is worth withdrawing from the Mission and commence a separate one  that will represent their ideals. It is totally and frankly wrong for them to disguise themselves to pursue a goal they have tried to accomplish for years without succeeding by using ECOMIC and the country's change of regime to be able realize that. 

The Gambia government under HE. Adama Barrow must know that it's primary responsibility is to protect lives and property and any recognized  loophole that can jeopardize the peaceful coexistence of The Gambia must be checked with urgency. Weak leadership is a disease and Adama Barrow must urgently prove his worth as a leader and work towards the containment of what has started.  Senegal is a sovereign state so as the Gambia so it is totally wrong for the Senegalese soldiers to neglect the sovereignty of our land by pursuing their goals even during a reputable mission. We know very well that in global politics, countries must chop or be chopped and The Gambia must not provide any room to be chopped. 

To conclude, I will call on ECOWAS to get involved because the young soldier who died is on their mission in The Gambia. Additionally, if their forces continue to indicate that their mission in The Gambia has been accomplished, then it is very much ideal to call it off but not to allow its forces to be on dual mission. 

The timber business they want to stop should be stopped in ways that would not put the lives of Gambians in danger. Any cause that endangers the lives of innocent  people doesn't in any way worth pursuing. If there  is any room for it to be pursued, it should be on legal basis but must not also risk other people's comfort.

May Allah protect The Gambia.