The threat dynamics of the timber export and re-export trade to The Gambia could be identified in our relations with Senegal as well as the spill-over effects of any confrontation between the warring parties in Casamance.
Historians will tell you that this Casamance insurrection had put lots of wrinkles on the relations between Banjul and Dakar since the Sir Dawda era.
Aside suspecting Gambia as host for the MFDC separatists, Senegal is also livid at The Gambia for ‘financing’ the MFDC war efforts through the trade in forest products such as charcoal, firewood and fruits.
The Gambia also provide a huge market for the Cannabis Sativa produced in restive Senegal’s southern province.
Marijuana trade is regarded as the most oily product to the independence movement’s war machinery.
And, Senegal is pissed off!
So, one can evidently identify the flashpoints without burrowing!
Falsely or rightly accused, the Gambia government must be seen to be working towards measures that will extricate us from some of these allegations such as one dealing with this timber thing.
Meanwhile, the government has lot of explaining to do as regards the 22 timber-laden containers intercepted at the ports.
It’s almost two months now when the government announced it placed a ban on all timber export and re-export.
We’d thought at the time government really meant business when it said it was suspending timber export and re-export licenses.
However, the seizure of over 20 containers just one stage from the destination speaks to government’s inability to match its pronouncement with strong measures.
It also brought to the fore the complexity of the timber export and re-export industry due to the profit margins and players involved.
Regulating the timber trade transcends rhetorics.
The timber trade is not only injurious to the forests of Casamance but is as well inimical to the peace and security of our country as could be seen in the lethal fire exchange between Senegalese troops and Casamance independence fighters along the border this year.
So the more sustainable solution we find to this timber trade, the better for us all!
