Senegalese security forces ordered Gambian farmers in Gambisara and Sabi, Upper River Region, to cease cultivating land they have farmed for decades. On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, armed members of the Senegalese Gendarmerie entered the area in five pickup trucks, according to a visit by Foroyaa to Gambisara. During their presence in Gambisara, officers explicitly instructed the farmers to stop all agricultural activities and vacate the area immediately. This directive has caused significant alarm among the local farming communities who depend on these lands for their livelihoods. The presence of the armed gendarmerie units shows the seriousness with which these orders were delivered to the Gambian farmers.
Farmers Face Disruption
Many affected fields have already been planted and fertilized, according to reports from the area. This represents a substantial investment of time, labor, and resources by the farmers. Senegalese officers recently visited farmland near Sabi, a community also in the Upper River Region, and issued similar instructions to farmers there, warning them to cease all agricultural operations. The presence of security forces and their directives have created profound uncertainty among the agricultural communities in both Gambisara and Sabi, severely impacting their immediate farming activities and future planning. Farmers in the affected zones are now facing the potential loss of their planted crops and significant financial investments in fertilizers and seeds. The orders from the Senegalese Gendarmerie are disrupting established agricultural practices in these critical border communities, threatening food security and economic stability for many families.
Unclear Border Dispute
Senegalese authorities have asserted ownership over farmlands located around Gambisara and adjacent backyards. This claim by Senegal has added to the complexity of the situation involving agricultural lands cultivated by Gambian farmers in the Upper River Region, intensifying the dispute. The assertion of ownership by Senegalese forces is central to the ongoing territorial disagreement. Communities situated on both the Senegalese and Gambian sides of the border have reportedly utilized and farmed the area for many years, relying on these lands for generations. This long-standing agricultural practice by residents from both nations complicates the current territorial claims and the abrupt directives issued by the Senegalese Gendarmerie to Gambian farmers. The historical use of the land by cross-border communities shows the depth of the dispute and the intertwined lives of people living along the unmarked boundary.
Community Leaders React
Community leaders in Gambisara have reported the matter to regional authorities following the directives from the Senegalese Gendarmerie. The land in question has been farmed by local communities for 50 years, according to these leaders, establishing a deep-rooted connection to the territory. This long history of cultivation shows the depth of concern among residents regarding the recent orders and their potential impact on their heritage and future. The reporting to regional authorities indicates an effort to seek official intervention and a diplomatic resolution for the affected farmers, noting the urgency of the situation. The move by community leaders shows the local impact of the dispute over agricultural lands near the border and their desire for a peaceful and lasting solution.
Broader Regional Tensions
The border around Gambisara and Sabi has never been clearly marked with boundary pillars or fences, contributing to the persistent ambiguity and potential for conflict. This lack of clear demarcation has historically led to overlapping claims and incidents between communities on both sides. Similar incidents occurred last month in the Central River Region, where the Senegalese Gendarmerie ordered Gambian farmers off farmland in Upper Saloum and Lower Saloum, citing territorial claims. These repeated actions by Senegalese forces in different regions suggest a broader pattern of asserting control over disputed border territories, raising concerns about regional stability and the livelihoods of Gambian farmers. The ongoing nature of these border disputes notes the need for a definitive and mutually agreed-upon resolution to prevent further escalation and disruption to agricultural communities.