Senegal and Gambia settle long-standing border dispute permanently

Senegal and Gambia have reached a historic milestone in resolving their long-standing border dispute by finalizing a definitive agreement on the delimitation of their shared frontier. This breakthrough, confirmed by the Permanent Senegalese-Gambian Secretariat, follows weeks of heightened tensions sparked by the recent incident near Bullock.

The dispute dates back to July 16, when Senegalese military forces dismantled a section of a Gambian military outpost near Bullock. Banjul condemned the action as a “provocative” breach of its sovereignty, while Dakar maintained that the structure was illegally constructed within its territory.

To avert further escalation, both nations have agreed to resume joint border demarcation and densification operations starting August 15. These efforts, previously suspended in June due to logistical hurdles, involve installing new boundary markers to clarify the exact border line. The initiative also aims to address recurring disputes arising from cross-border agricultural activities that often encroach on disputed zones.

The two-week campaign, slated for completion by September, will also assess whether the Gambian military camp at Bullock lies within Senegalese territory, as Dakar asserts. Beyond technical boundary adjustments, this accord underscores the commitment of both countries to prioritize bilateral dialogue in safeguarding their strategic partnership, built on deep historical ties, robust economic interdependence, and critical regional security cooperation in West Africa.