Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, The Gambia) – The government of Senegal has broken its silence on the July 16 border incident at the Bulock military post, insisting that the confrontation with Gambian forces arose from a long-standing territorial dispute and should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine The Gambia’s sovereignty.
In a statement issued by Senegal’s Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad, Dakar said it had taken note of The Gambia’s earlier communiqué condemning the demolition of part of the perimeter fence of the Gambian military installation at Bulock by Senegalese troops.
Senegal Cites Unresolved Border Dispute
Senegal said it remains committed to the historic ties of fraternity, good neighborliness, and strategic cooperation shared with The Gambia, describing the relationship as a “precious achievement” that both governments have a responsibility to preserve.
However, the Senegalese government maintained that the area where the incident occurred has been the subject of discussions between the two countries for several years.
According to Dakar, it has repeatedly raised concerns through diplomatic channels over what it described as encroachments affecting its territorial integrity, including installations and activities it considers incompatible with the agreed management of the common border.
The Senegalese statement added that despite sustained discussions at the highest political level and years of negotiations, the two sides have yet to reach a lasting agreement on the outstanding boundary issues.
Incident “Not an Attack on Gambian Sovereignty”
Senegal argued that the events of July 16 should be viewed within the context of the unresolved border dispute rather than as a hostile act against its neighbour.
“The incident should not be interpreted as reflecting any intention on the part of Senegal to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of The Gambia or the excellent relations between the two countries,” the ministry said.
Instead, Dakar described the incident as highlighting the urgency of finding a durable solution to the border issue.
The Senegalese government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the matter peacefully through dialogue, consultation, and existing bilateral and diplomatic mechanisms.
Gambia Protested Demolition of Military Fence
The statement comes a day after the Gambian government expressed “deep concern” over the incident at the Bulock Military Border Post in the West Coast Region. Banjul confirmed that members of the Senegalese Armed Forces demolished a section of the perimeter fence surrounding the Gambian military installation.
According to the Gambian government, the operation was carried out using a bulldozer and was accompanied by armed Senegalese soldiers. Banjul described the action as regrettable and said it was inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation between the neighboring states.
The Gambian authorities also stressed that the matter should be addressed through established diplomatic and bilateral channels, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to maintaining peaceful relations with Senegal.
The incident has drawn significant public attention in both countries, with local reports indicating that the Bulock area has long been one of several locations where the exact alignment of the border has remained contested.
Despite the latest tensions, both governments have now publicly committed themselves to resolving the dispute through dialogue rather than confrontation.
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