Senegal and Gambia finalise long-standing border dispute resolution

The long-standing border dispute between Senegal and Gambia has reached a decisive milestone with the formalisation of a definitive agreement on their shared frontier. This breakthrough, announced by the Permanent Senegal-Gambia Secretariat, follows a recent flare-up near Bullock that had reignited tensions between the two neighbours.

The origins of the conflict trace back to July 16, when Senegalese troops removed a section of a Gambian military outpost’s fence near Bullock. Banjul condemned the action as a “provocative” violation of its sovereignty, while Dakar argued that the structures encroached on its territory.

Joint operations to clarify the border

To avert further escalation, both nations have agreed to resume joint border demarcation and densification efforts starting August 15. These operations, halted since June due to technical hurdles, involve installing new boundary markers to more accurately define the frontier.

The Permanent Secretariat confirmed that the campaign will include community outreach in border areas, where farming activities often spill into the disputed zone, contributing to recurring incidents. The initiative, slated for completion in September, will also verify whether Gambia’s Bullock military camp lies within Senegalese territory, as Dakar claims.

Strengthening bilateral ties through dialogue

Beyond the technical aspects of boundary marking, this agreement underscores Senegal and Gambia’s commitment to resolving disputes through bilateral dialogue. It reflects a broader strategy to nurture a relationship anchored in historical ties, economic interdependence, and critical security cooperation across West Africa.