By: Binta Jaiteh
Sulayman Saho, National Assembly Member for Central Badibou has accused Senegalese sheep herders of intruding into the Gambian territory, causing environmental hazards and violence.
Saho made these remarks at the National Assembly on Wednesday as he demanded to know from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Rohey John Manjang, as to what actions her Ministry has been taking to stop these environmentally-unfriendly actions as, in his words, they are causing violence to nature and to the people.
Minister Manjang, in her response, explained that The Gambia is a member and signatory to the ECOWAS protocols that promote the free movement of people and goods.
“Upon entry into the country, in this case, transhuman must be given clearance by the Department of Livestock with conditions. These conditions include that they are not to tamper with our natural vegetation, especially cutting branches and trees. They are also to contact the regional forestry officers before entry into any forest. A severe penalty is levied for violation of the above by the herders; the penalty is usually not less than the cost of restoring any damage caused.”
She went further to assert that the Ministry is aware of the challenges posed on our forest and resources. “Transhuman’ activities in The Gambia involve herders moving from one district to another, as well as between regions within the country and, of course, herders from Senegal,” she added.
Manjang also notes that both countries (The Gambia and Senegal) have historically negotiated protocols allowing seasonal movement of cattle across borders. These arrangements, she avers, are important to ensure that herders have official recognition, reducing potential friction with border control and local communities to mitigate challenges to our forest land and resources. She went on to emphasize that one of the action points discussed during the Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat meeting includes matters related to the regulation of the management of the transhuman’ activities.
“My ministry will engage the Ministry of Agriculture to implement this action point with the concerned ministry in Senegal,” she assured.
NAM Saho retorted that these herders come purposely to graze on our land and they are attacking our people with cutlasses.
“Which protocol will allow someone to move to another country to attack them? I want to know the protocol between the two countries. These people are in Central Badibou, Kaur, and Saba Sanjal causing violence to the people,” he stressed.
“They don’t go through the right border post to be quarantined. They are bringing diseases to our animals. I urge the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Forestry to investigate this issue as a matter of urgency,” he tasked.
