UNCLAS BANJUL 000259

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT PASS PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR, AFRICA REGION -- HENRY
MCKOY; DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PREF CASC SG GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: MORE ON REPORTED FIGHTING NEAR GAMBIAN
BORDER WITH CASAMANCE

REF: A. BANJUL 253

B. BANJUL 250

INTERIOR MINISTER'S UPDATE
--------------

1. (SBU) In April 26 conversation, Ambassador asked Interior
Minister Baboucar Jatta about situation along The Gambia's
border with Senegal's Casamance region, following recent
reports of fighting -- most recently during night of April
24-25 -- in that area, involving forces of dissident MFDC
commander Salif Sadio (refs a and b). Jatta said that,
judging from reports by Gambian authorities in the border
area, the area was presently calm and that, in any event,
none of the recent violence had spilled over into Gambian
territory. He attributed the violence to clashes between
"moderate" MFDC elements and Sadio's forces. Jatta said the
GOTG was coordinating with the Red Cross on assistance to
refugees entering The Gambia as a result of the recent
incidents, but he could give no estimate of number of
refugees.

SAFETY OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS
--------------


2. (SBU) In discussion with Interior Minister Jatta,
Ambassador flagged our concern for the safety of the three
Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) serving in Gambian villages near
the Casamance border area where the latest clashes occurred.
At Ambassador's request, Jatta said GOTG would advise us of
any reports of violence spilling over into The Gambia. (NOTE:
We have checked on the status of the three PCV's and all are
safe. Mission security personnel will travel to PCV's
villages April 27 for site assessment. END NOTE)

NGO SOURCE
--------------


3. (SBU) Official with Concern Universal, NGO working in
Gambian villages near the Casamance border, told us April 26
of a growing refugee flow into The Gambia due to the
fighting, estimating at 400 to 600 the total number arriving
since April 21. Whereas the Concern Universal rep had
previously indicated to us that the refugee influx was not of
such magnitude as to require urgent assistance, he now
acknowledged heightened concern on this score. He undertook
to keep us informed of the evolving refugee situation along
the Gambian/Casamance border.

TREATMENT OF WOUNDED "MODERATE" MFDC ELEMENTS
--------------


4. (SBU) Gambian police sources informed us that, at
Senegalese authorities' request, five or six "moderate" MFDC
elements wounded in the clashes with Sadio's fighters had
been brought to Banjul and were currently being treated at
the city's main hospital.
STAFFORD