Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANJUL253
2006-04-25 16:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:
THE GAMBIA: FURTHER REPORT OF FIGHTING NEAR
how-toVZCZCXRO4204 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHJL #0253 1151658 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251658Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6603 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUFGAID/USEUCOM AIDES VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS BANJUL 000253
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PREF SG GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: FURTHER REPORT OF FIGHTING NEAR
GAMBIAN BORDER WITH CASAMANCE
REF: BANJUL 250
UNCLAS BANJUL 000253
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PREF SG GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: FURTHER REPORT OF FIGHTING NEAR
GAMBIAN BORDER WITH CASAMANCE
REF: BANJUL 250
1. (SBU) Reftel contains GOTG report of April 21 outbreak of
violence, possibly involving forces of dissident MFDC
commander Salif Sadio, in the Casamance region near the
border with The Gambia. Subsequently, on April 25, a
knowledgeable source, present in the Gambian village of
Ndemba Jola, located near the Casamance village of Grande
Kanao, reported hearing gunfire across the border in the
Casamance "throughout the night" of April 24-25. The source
believed that besides small arms fire, heavier weapons,
e.g.,mortars, were used by the combatants.
2. (SBU) On April 25, Pol/econ contacted official with
Concern Universal, NGO assisting residents of Gambian
villages along the border with Casmance, and asked about
possible refugee flow resulting from the latest clashes. The
official said he had gotten reports of "a few hundred"
refugees entering The Gambia following April 21-22 fighting.
He added that, as yet there had been no push from the Red
Cross for urgent assistance and cited the lack of such a
request as an indication that the Red Cross and local
authorities viewed the refugee influx in recent days as
manageable.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: We have been unable to reach knowledgeable
GOTG officials today, April 25, to get their latest
assessment of the border situation, but will continue our
efforts to reach them. END COMMENT
STAFFORD
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PREF SG GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: FURTHER REPORT OF FIGHTING NEAR
GAMBIAN BORDER WITH CASAMANCE
REF: BANJUL 250
1. (SBU) Reftel contains GOTG report of April 21 outbreak of
violence, possibly involving forces of dissident MFDC
commander Salif Sadio, in the Casamance region near the
border with The Gambia. Subsequently, on April 25, a
knowledgeable source, present in the Gambian village of
Ndemba Jola, located near the Casamance village of Grande
Kanao, reported hearing gunfire across the border in the
Casamance "throughout the night" of April 24-25. The source
believed that besides small arms fire, heavier weapons,
e.g.,mortars, were used by the combatants.
2. (SBU) On April 25, Pol/econ contacted official with
Concern Universal, NGO assisting residents of Gambian
villages along the border with Casmance, and asked about
possible refugee flow resulting from the latest clashes. The
official said he had gotten reports of "a few hundred"
refugees entering The Gambia following April 21-22 fighting.
He added that, as yet there had been no push from the Red
Cross for urgent assistance and cited the lack of such a
request as an indication that the Red Cross and local
authorities viewed the refugee influx in recent days as
manageable.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: We have been unable to reach knowledgeable
GOTG officials today, April 25, to get their latest
assessment of the border situation, but will continue our
efforts to reach them. END COMMENT
STAFFORD