The United Democratic Party (UDP) has called for calm and immediate high-level diplomatic engagement between The Gambia and Senegal following a tense border incident at Bullock Military Camp in Foni, where Senegalese forces demolished part of the camp’s perimeter fence.
In a strongly worded statement issued today, the UDP expressed full support for the Gambian government’s position on national sovereignty after Senegalese military personnel, supported by heavy machinery and armed guards, tore down approximately 200 meters of the camp’s fence on 16 July. The Senegalese side claimed the affected section was built on their territory.
“The Gambia is a sovereign state whose territorial integrity and national sovereignty must be respected at all times,” the UDP said. “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 opposition party described the unilateral military-backed demolition as “both unnecessary and provocative.” It argued that, even if a border dispute exists, such matters should be handled through dialogue and established diplomatic channels rather than force. The UDP recommended that Senegal send a special envoy to Banjul for constructive discussions rather than resorting to direct action.
The statement emphasized the importance of resolving border issues through the Senegalo-Gambian Joint Commission and other bilateral mechanisms. Should bilateral talks fail, the matter should be referred to mutually agreed-upon international dispute-resolution bodies. “Military intervention should never be the preferred means of resolving disagreements between two friendly neighboring states,” the UDP declared.
The party commended the professionalism and restraint shown by officers and soldiers of the Gambia Armed Forces at Bullock Camp. Their decision not to escalate the situation, the UDP noted, prevented what could have become a dangerous confrontation with serious consequences for both nations and the sub-region.
The UDP urged both governments to engage immediately in high-level dialogue to resolve the matter peacefully and reaffirm their commitment to peace, mutual respect, regional cooperation, and international law.
Highlighting the deep historic, cultural, and family ties between the Gambian and Senegalese peoples, the UDP warned that both sides must work diligently to protect this relationship rather than allow isolated incidents to create unnecessary tensions.
The incident has heightened concerns over long-standing border ambiguities between the two countries, which are geographically intertwined and share close people-to-people ties. Political observers say a swift diplomatic resolution will be essential to prevent further strain on bilateral ties.
