By Haddy Touray
The Alkalo of Waneru village, Mamud Ceesay, has responded to growing claims that his village is part of The Gambia, asserting that Waneru has always been a part of Senegalese territory since the colonial era.
His response came amid mounting calls on Gambian authorities to claim the village as part of the Gambian territory.
In an exclusive interview, Ceesay explained that Waneru has never been a part of The Gambia, and that the village has always been under Senegalese jurisdiction since the demarcation of the border by colonial powers.
He emphasized that villagers hold Senegalese nationality and have been paying taxes to the Senegalese government since the country gained independence in 1960.
“Concrete pegs, placed by the colonial masters to mark the boundary, still stand between Waneru and the Gambian village of Jimbala Kerr Musa,” Ceesay explained. He described any suggestion that Waneru is part of The Gambia as “insanity,” adding that the historical boundary was clear.
The Gambian authorities have recently visited Waneru to get a better grasp on the situation. The Chief of Lower Saloum District, Ali Gaye Touray, was among the officials who visited the village with the objective of encouraging peace and unity among border villages.
However, Touray stressed that the Gambian government was not seeking to reclaim Waneru by force.
“There are no plans to reclaim Waneru village, either diplomatically or by force,” Touray explained.
He also acknowledged that although the villagers consider themselves Senegalese, modern technology such as GPS and Google Maps indicate that the village is within the Gambian territory.
The matter has generated mixed reactions among the constituents of Lower Saloum. Many constituents noted that Waneru has closer ties to The Gambia than Senegal. Several individuals said they had attended schools in Jimbala and Kaur and now work in The Gambia to support their families.
Assan Tangara, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Interior, was contacted for comment on the matter but he declined to comment.
The dispute over Waneru’s territorial status remains unresolved as both sides continue to hold firmly on their claims.