A bilateral meeting between Senegalese and Gambian officials was held Tuesday to defuse rising tensions between border communities in Kanouma (Senegal) and Djataly (The Gambia), following a recent dispute sparked by unclear boundary lines.
According to Senegalese daily Le Soleil, the row began when a confrontation occurred between a Senegalese Water and Forestry agent and a Gambian woodcutter operating in the contested zone. The area, which lacks clearly demarcated borders, has long been a source of local friction, particularly among communities that rely on shared natural resources.
In an effort to prevent the situation from escalating, regional governors Guédj Diouf of Tambacounda (Senegal) and Ousman Bah of Central River Region (The Gambia) convened with mapping experts, traditional and religious leaders, and security representatives from both countries. The discussions, held directly at the border, aimed to reestablish calm and chart a path toward a long-term resolution.
The key outcome of the meeting was a mutual agreement to allow residents from both Kanouma and Djataly to continue their daily activities in the disputed area. This temporary arrangement will remain in place while scientific sub-committees work to determine the official border through mapping and technical analysis.
“The goal is to preserve peace and prevent any further misunderstanding between our people,” one official told Le Soleil, echoing the shared concern among both delegations.
As part of the steps forward, a joint commission comprising ten representatives from each country including local mayors, sub-prefects, village chiefs, and land commission leaders is scheduled to meet on Thursday. This body will be tasked with clarifying the livestock corridors, a longstanding issue critical to pastoralist communities on both sides.
Cross-border tensions over land use and movement are not new to the region, but authorities from both countries appear committed to handling this latest incident through dialogue and cooperation.
The outcome of Thursday’s commission meeting could set a precedent for how similar disputes are resolved in the future through inclusive, locally informed, and peaceful negotiations.
