Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANJUL317
2006-05-18 15:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:  

THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON TIES WITH SENEGAL

Tags:  PREL PGOV SG GA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9854
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHJL #0317 1381556
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 181556Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6679
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUFGAID/USEUCOM AIDES VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000317 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SG GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON TIES WITH SENEGAL

REF: A. BANJUL 230 ET AL


B. BANJUL 280

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000317

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SG GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON TIES WITH SENEGAL

REF: A. BANJUL 230 ET AL


B. BANJUL 280

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)


1. (C) In May 18 conversation with senior Presidential
adviser, Secretary General Mambury Njie, Ambassador asked for
an update on the Gambian/Senegalese relationship. Njie
responded that ties remained strained, saying the GOTG
continued to harbor suspicions of GOS involvement in the coup
plot thwarted here March 21. Njie added that the GOTG also
remained convinced that the plot's ringleader, former CHOD Lt
Col Ndure Cham, was in Senegal and was continuing to press,
so far without success, for GOS help in gaining access to
him.


2. (C) Despite the strains, Njie went on, cooperation with
the Senegalese in various fields was continuing; he cited
recent productive meetings of the two countries' customs and
security officials as examples. Asked about the status of
two high-priority bilateral projects -- construction of a
bridge across the Gambia River and restoration of the Joint
Permanent Secretariat -- Njie stated that the GOTG remained
committed to them and did not intend to let the current
strains halt progress.


3. (C) In recent conversation, a local journalist
well-connected in senior GOTG circles said that Jammeh had
received a call from Senegalese President Wade, who invited
him to join other West Arican leaders in attending the May 16
ceremony in Paris where Wade was awarded the UNESCO Peace
Prize. The journalist said Jammeh had responded to Wade that
he could not accept the invitation because "you still have
(coup ringleader) Cham."


4. (C) COMMENT: The GOTG summoned the diplomatic corps in
mid-April to urge pressure on the GOS for cooperation with
the GOTG's inquiry into the failed plot, and Jammeh pressed
Ambassador for intervention with Dakar in May 4 meeting (refs
a and b). While Secretary General Njie's assurances of
ongoing cooperation with the GOS suggest GOTG's awareness of
need to avoid escalating tensions, such escalation cannot be
absolutely ruled out, especially if Jammeh's anti-GOS feeling
in the coup plot's aftermath boils over. In particular, there
is the prospect of Jammeh attempting to "retaliate" through
resumption of past meddling in Senegal's Casamance region,
e.g., via support for dissident MFDC leader Salif Sadio. We
will be on the lookout here for any indication of such
meddling. END COMMENT.
STAFFORD