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Momodou
Denmark
11855 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Apr 2008 : 20:33:19
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3 Months After Gilanfari Landmine Explosion
No Sign Of De-Mining
By Modou Jonga
More than three months after the tragic landmine explosion on 2 December, 2007 at Gilanfari, a border village with the Senegalese region of Casamance, which led to the death of two students, there appears to be no sign of de-mining by The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF).
Following the aftermath of the tragic explosion, the Public Relations Officer of The Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant Alagie Sanneh, noted the resolve of GAF to de-mine the suspected border areas but the residents of Gilanfari have repeatedly expressed concern that they have not seen any sign of de-mining.
Residents who spoke to Foroyaa, said they last saw security agents and other authorities a few days after the landmine explosion but none has visited them to discuss the proposed de-mining exercise. They noted that the area where the mine exploded is strategic for their numerous activities. They said the areas link their village to The Gambian border villages, such as Tamba Kunda and that they feared a re-occurrence of the incident.
They also claimed that herdsmen have abandoned the said area and that this has caused difficulty in grazing their cattle. They reiterated that the landmine incident has sent a wave of fear in the villages close to the Senegalese region of Casamance.
This reporter has been making efforts to get the comment of the GAF PRO for more than two weeks now, but his efforts failed to bear fruit. As soon as we get information from him, we shall publish it.
Our readers could recall that the landmine explosion led to the tragic death of two students, Edrisa Badjie and Lamin Jammeh and the other one, Jainaba Badjie, sustaining injuries. The deceased were both nine years of age and attending Tamba Kunda Lower Basic School, while the injured was eight years old girl and at Grade Three in the same school.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 40/2008, 7 – 8 April 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2008 : 04:08:10
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You see,I keep woundering weither the village of Gilanfari is indeed part senegal and part Gambia and wheither some elements of either the rebels or Government of senegal had mistakenly mined our part of the village or if not could it be during colonial days?I cannot understand why mines within the perimeters of that village in the first place much more explosions thus causing harm to our citizens.
The Gambia is not at war with anyone and one wounders why a mine explosion on our soil and what our government was doing to prevent any reoccurence of such tragic acts.
There is no better nation building than safeguarding its citizens so please, safe the citizens of this village and any other villages that might be near danger of mines around the borders of Southern Senegal.
Please act without delay. |
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