|
Momodou
Denmark
11841 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Sep 2006 : 17:40:31
|
CIVILIANS CAUGHT UP IN FRONT LINE
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Refugees fleeing the military offensive in Cassamance have said that civilians are still stranded in their war torn villages, due to alleged blockage of the border by Senegalese troops.
Alfusainey Jarjue who fled from Baragasel and is currently hosted in Sohm, narrated that several people have been denied exit into The Gambian by the Senegalese Armed forces.
He said that the Senegalese troops that are stationed in his village and the neighbouring villages have restricted the movement of refugees into The Gambia.
"Four of my sons, their five wives and children are still in Baragasel. They are not alone. This is the case in several villages," Jarjue said. The old man indicated that since their arrival at Sohm four weeks ago, no humanitarian aid has reached them.
"Our farms will be destroyed. I left behind 68 heads of cattle, goats and sheep," he bemoaned.
Another refugee, Sarata Jammeh, stated that they have been devastated by the latest onslaught waged against the rebels by the Senegalese army.
"We can't sleep comfortably. Most of our relatives and neighbours are still trapped in remote villages," she said.
Sainabou Sonko expressed that she managed to rescue fourteen children who belong to her family. She said she is worried because most of them are trapped in Cassamance.
Soko Manneh said that none of them was able to bring along any of their belongings, noting that they have had to start life from zero whenever they return.
The Chief of Kombo East, Basiru Jarjue, there are about three hundred refugees in Sohm village alone. He added that he would not know how many refugees are in the area, but said that the Sumakunda, Sotokoi, Kafuta Tumbung, Kafuta, Omorto and Sohm villages have all willnessed the arrival of refugees.
"The refugees are yet to receive assistance from donors. What we saw was the registration of refugees. They are all depending on the villagers for food, clothing and shelter," the Chief said.
The chief also said that bullets fired from Cassamance recently landed in Sohm, luckily nobody was hurt.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 77/2006, 13-14 September, 2006
|
|
Topic Locked
