By Nelson Manneh
Amadou Juma Camara, a resident of Kampant village in Foni Kansala District of the West Coast Region who was shot by Senegalese Military forces in Casamance, was on Saturday 29 June 2024 discharged from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
This reporter visited the family of the victim in Kampant village to seek first-hand information from his family.
According to Awa Bah, the mother of the victim (Amadou Juma Camara), said her son who is a driver by profession, was on Thursday, 26 June 2024, shot by Senegalese soldiers when he went to collect some logs owned by his boss in the forest of Casamance.
“Whilst he was coming from Casamance, he met with the Senegalese soldiers who were patrolling the border. They saw him coming with the vehicle and they hid themselves, so when he came closer to them, they then shot him three times,” Mrs. Bah narrated. She said her son was shot three times, on one side of his chest, and twice on his lap.
“He was then rushed to Bwiam Hospital and subsequently referred to Ndeban Hospital. However, after reaching Ndeban Hospital, we were further referred to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul where he was admitted and received medication,” she said.
Mrs. Bah said her son is slowly responding to treatment and that the bullets have since been removed from his body.
Muhammed Bojang, a resident of Kampant whose farm is close to the border, said he normally sees the Senegalese soldiers patrolling the border but they are no longer aggressive like they used to be some months ago.
“I always go to Casamance because I have relatives there but whenever I am crossing the border, these soldiers will call me and ask for my Identification Card. If I show it to them, they will allow me to go and will pray for me to come back peacefully,” he said.
Mr. Bojang said the only problem is that the Senegalese soldiers have sealed the territory in Casamance, where cannabis farming takes place.
“If you go to this forest to collect cannabis or timber (Logs), they will still shoot you, because the Senegalese soldiers have made it very clear that they will not compromise with anyone on this issue,” he said.
He said the government of the Gambia and other stakeholders should engage border villagers to avoid going to Casamance for any dubious act.
This reporter also visited some farmlands that are close to the border and met some farmers clearing their farmlands in preparation for the farming season.
Those who spoke to this medium said since they started clearing their farmlands, they have never been threatened by the Senegalese soldiers who are frequently seen patrolling the borders.
“Gambian soldiers also patrol the Gambian side of the border from time to time but the area is very peaceful as of now. We are not intimidated by the Senegalese soldiers who strictly monitor their side of the border,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Gambia Government through the Ministry of Information on Friday, 27 June 2024, issued a press release informing the public of a confirmed incident involving one Amadou Juma Camara from Kampant village in Foni Kansala District who was shot by Senegalese soldiers at Kelantan in Casamance, indicating that the exact time of the incident is yet to be determined.
“According to our sources, Mr. Camara was contracted by Jarreh Sonko, a log dealer and native of Mandina in Foni Kansala, to procure logs of timber for him from Casamance. Upon reaching Kelantan, Mr. Camara was shot by Senegalese soldiers,” the statement said.
The press release stated that the victim was transported to the Fourth Infantry Battalion in Kanilai around 12:30 am and subsequently rushed to Bwiam Hospital, but was since referred to Ndeban Hospital for further medical treatment.
“Further reports indicate that Mr. Camara was accompanied by two apprentices on this mission, one known by the nickname “50.” They were last seen in the vicinity of Kanilai,” the release added.
