GAMBIAN-SENEGALESE RELATIONS DEFINITELY ON THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 000082

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, AF/PDPA, AF/RSA, DRL/PHD AND INR/AA
LONDON FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER
PARIS FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PINS PHUM GA SG
SUBJECT: GAMBIAN-SENEGALESE RELATIONS DEFINITELY ON THE
MEND; GOTG AND GOS WORKING TOGETHER ON CASAMANCE

REF: A. BANJUL 0024 AND PREVIOUS

B. DAKAR 0043

C. 05 DAKAR 2933

Classified By: CDA ROBERT P. JACKSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) On January 4, Prime Minister Macky Sall told Charge
that the GOS was very pleased by his most recent visit to The
Gambia. Sall believes that relations are back on a sound
footing.


2. (C) In addition to the proposed bridge and related
transportation issues, the Gambian Government,s decision to
turn Movement of Democratic Forces of the Casamance (MFDC)
military leader Kamoughe Diatta over to Senegal on January 7
is significant. The Gambian Government had detained Diatta
since October )- reportedly at the Senegalese Government,s
request. With a bit of nudging from the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),the GOS has released
Diatta to the MFDC,s political leaders. GOS officials hope
that the MFDC can build upon the momentum from the Sao
Domingos meeting, with Diatta helping to unite the fractious
MFDC and prepare its negotiating position for the next round
of peace talks.


3. (U) Diatta,s transfer and release follows the Janaury 6
decision to dismiss all charges against Sud Communications
for its October 17 broadcast and publication of Ibrahima
Gassama,s interview with Diatta,s rival, Salif Sadio.
Sadio was convicted in abstentia and sentenced to five years
in prison and a fine equivalent to USD 1,870.


4. (C) COMMENT: The GOS' decision to dismiss the charges
against the Sud Communications, which was predicted by
Ambassador Absa Diallo (Ref C),may reflect an effort to
improve its somewhat tarnished human rights record in 2006.
END COMMENT.
JACKSON