Clashes between Senegalese Separatists and Soldiers which took place along the Gambian border in the early part of this month have led to the displacement of more than 6000 in Gambia.
Following battles between Senegalese military and separatists along the Gambian border earlier this month, more than 6,000 people have fled their homes in Gambia and Senegal.
On March 13, the Senegalese military launched an operation against rebels fighting for independence in the southern Casamance region of the West African country, which borders Gambia.
Fighting in Casamance forced 691 people to flee neighbouring Gambia, a small country with a population of roughly 2 million people that is nearly totally surrounded by Senegal, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Agency.
Senegalese bullets struck in border villages, displacing an additional 5,626 persons within the Gambia.
Humanitarian aid is needed by the families who are sheltering the victims.
Casamance’s separatist movement, founded in 1982, has been mainly dormant since a truce in 2014.
However, it continues to fund itself by smuggling lumber between Senegal and Gambia and launches sporadic attacks.
When violence erupted again in January of this year, two Senegalese soldiers were killed.
