Dear Editor: 

Lt. Col. Sarr’s Rejoinder on the recent developments along the Sene-Gambian borders raises some interesting observations relating to Yahya Jammeh’s deceptive diplomatic posture relating to his relations with the MFDC.  He is known to declare publicly his support of the diplomatic route to settling the conflict whilst privately hosting Salif Sadio in Kanilai with promises of his unflinching support for the total independence of Casamance, by violent means if necessary. Wade is aware of Jammeh’s disingenuous approach to the conflict.  

 In fact during the former Senegalese Prime Minister Macky Sall’s visit to Kanilai in December 2005, Jammeh invited the Senegalese delegation to feel free to search his homestead of Kanilai for Casamance rebels and/or bunkers as claimed by his enemies.  He proceeded to assure his guests that he was not harboring Casamance rebels neither was he using Kanilai as a real base for the MDFC. 

Ex-Prime Minister Macky Sall

 The look in Macky Sall’s face when Jammeh uttered those words said a lot for those present including the Director General of National Security of Senegal and Chief of the National Central Bureau of Interpol who was heard stating to the effect that they have heard these assurances before contrary to what obtains in reality.  As Jammeh was assuring them of his total commitment to the peace process, the Senegalese were presenting photo evidence of Jammeh in the company of Salif Sadio at Kanilai to appropriate UN and diplomatic community resident in Senegal at the time when Jammeh was assuring the international community that Salif Sadio was not seeking temporary refuge in The Gambia and away from the reaches of the arm of the Senegalese army and the MFDC faction led by Ismaila Magne Dieme. 

I agree with Lt. Col. Sarr’s observation regarding the predicament of His Excellency High Commissioner Gibou Joof.  He will be blamed by Jammeh should things fall apart.  He must remember that he replaced High Commissioner Sidi Sanneh who was considered too independent and very close to President Wade.  In fact, it is widely believed that a contributing factor to Sidi Sanneh’s dismissal was because he was able, within a short period of time, to open multiple channels of communications between Banjul and Dakar, including the moderate wing of the MFDC.  This display of individual initiative coupled with his close personal relations with both President Wade and Foreign Minister Gadio spelled immediate trouble for High Commissioner Sanneh. 

Matters relating to the MFDC and the Casamance conflict is seen by Jammeh as his exclusive domain and thus the proactive role of former High Commissioner Sanneh was seen as up-staging Yahya Jammeh.  Therefore, if Ambassador Joof wants to stay on the job then he must call Banjul for directives every step of the way. 

There is little doubt that High Commissioner Joof was directed by Banjul to attend last week’s meeting convened by the Senegalese Transport Minister.  The agenda was made known to Banjul but the details of the transport plan as revealed by Farba Senghore was not made known in advance, at least to the Gambian authorities.  Consequently, Gibou Joof was genuinely surprised at the sheer number of vehicles being proposed by the Senegalese Minister and thus his initial reaction which brought the laughter across the hall.  

To fully appreciate the context within which Gibou Joof is operating, it is important to note the following: that Farba Senghore is not only close to President Wade but he is also known as the ‘Baye Faal’ (or foot soldier) of the Senegalese President; that the Transport Minister is the only cabinet Minister of any rank who does not need an appointment to see President Wade; he simply drops by any time he wishes to see the President.  It is also common knowledge that Farba is closer to Madam Wade than Monsieur Wade.  So when you put all of the above together you will understand why when Gibou Joof was proposed by Jammeh as his High Commissioner, rather than reject him as he’d rejected other candidates before him, Wade decided, instead, to appoint Farba Senghore as Terrestrial and Air Transport Minister whom he considered the best person to handle the perennial border problem between Gambia and Senegal.  Farba Senghore was concurrently appointed ‘Monsieur Casamance’ to replace Mbye Jacques Diop, President of the Economic and Social Council.  In short, Farba is Wade’s point man on land transport as well as in charge of the Casamance conflict: a coincidence?  Hardly.

For now, we will leave things as they are while we continue to monitor the situation.  So far, no adverse reports have been received from either side of the border.  It is my expressed hope that the Gambian authorities, specifically Yahya Jammeh, will keep to his promise by keeping the traffic lanes open to all vehicles in the interest of SeneGambian peoples.

A keen Observer of Senegambian Affairs

Marena Parade, Banjul.