19th July 2026
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has taken note of the unfortunate events of 16 July 2026, during which Senegalese military personnel, accompanied by heavy machinery and armed guards, reportedly demolished approximately 200 meters of the perimeter fence at the Bullock Military Camp in Foni, The Gambia, on the grounds that part of the camp had been constructed within Senegalese territory.
The UDP fully aligns itself with the position of the Government of The Gambia that The Gambia is a sovereign state whose territorial integrity and national sovereignty must be respected at all times. Any action that undermines these fundamental principles is deeply concerning and risks straining the long-standing bonds of friendship between our two sister republics.
The UDP believes that, regardless of the existence of any border dispute, such matters must be addressed through dialogue, mutual respect, and established diplomatic mechanisms. The decision to undertake a unilateral military-backed demolition was both unnecessary and provocative. Rather than resorting to such measures, Senegal should have dispatched a special envoy to Banjul to engage the Government of The Gambia in constructive discussions.
The UDP further emphasizes that border disputes between The Gambia and Senegal should be resolved through the appropriate bilateral frameworks, including the Senegalo-Gambian Joint Commission and other established diplomatic fora. Where bilateral negotiations fail to produce a mutually acceptable outcome, the matter should be referred to other mutually agreed international dispute resolution mechanism. Military intervention should never be the preferred means of resolving disagreements between two friendly neighbouring states.
The UDP also commends the officers and soldiers of the Gambia Armed Forces stationed at Bullock Military Camp for exercising professionalism, discipline, and restraint under extremely difficult circumstances. Their decision not to escalate the situation prevented a potentially dangerous confrontation that could have had serious consequences for both nations and the wider sub-region.
The UDP calls upon the Governments of The Gambia and Senegal to immediately engage in high-level diplomatic dialogue to peacefully resolve this matter and reaffirm their shared commitment to peace, mutual respect, regional cooperation, and the rule of international law.
The historic relationship between the peoples of The Gambia and Senegal is founded on shared history, culture, family ties, and common aspirations. It is therefore imperative that both governments work diligently to preserve this relationship through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy rather than actions that risk unnecessary tensions.
Issued by UDP Media and Communications Team