APRC breakaway group has condemned the alleged arrest of three Gambians by Senegalese soldiers under ECOWAS Mission during a deadly clash with Casamance rebels at The Gambia border.
The group said in a released statement that: “APRC (faction) condemns the actions of the illegal Senegalese occupation forces in the strongest terms. We urge the Gambia Government and the ECOWAS Community to jointly condemn the arrests and the illegal detention of three Gambians by the Senegalese forces on Gambian soil. We demand the immediate release of all three.”
“We assure our displaced and affected Gambian families of our full support at all times and levels. We pray that our country continues to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere we ever know. We regret the loss of lives, and we pray for families of the deceased Senegalese soldiers,” the statement added.
In the statement, they called on ECOWAS to arbitrate the conflict between the MFDC separatists and the Senegalese Armed Forces, who they said are using Gambian territory to settle their foreign scores.
“We are calling on all the ECOWAS Heads of State to arbitrate the conflict between the MFDC Separatist Rebels of Senegal and the Senegalese Armed Forces, who are using Gambian territory to settle their foreign scores. The gun battle on Monday, 24 January 2022, is the latest incident, which was caused by the Senegalese Army in Foni, causing panic, terror, and displacement of Foni residents on Monday.
“The same battle between foreign forces led to the arrests of Gambian authorities who were performing their duties as the deadly gun battle raged on. Gambians are losing peace, safety and security in their own sovereign state and the effect of the war on Monday could have lasting impacts on their wellbeing. Gambians are a people who respect the rule of law and deserve better from the failing Barrow administration. We demand that the government takes every step necessary to protect [the] lives and properties of all Gambians,” the statement concluded.
