By: Haddy Touray
The People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) has called on The Gambia and Senegal to urgently establish a joint boundary commission to resolve border disputes following an incident involving the dismantling of part of the perimeter fence at the Bulock Military Post.
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Suwaibou Touray, PDOIS said it had received reports with “serious concern” about the incident, in which Senegalese Armed Forces reportedly pulled down sections of the fence, claiming that the disputed area falls within Senegalese territory.
The party said its position was based on the need to protect territorial integrity while promoting peaceful resolution of border disagreements.
“Territorial integrity of The Gambia is non-negotiable,” PDOIS said, adding that any claim by a foreign state over Gambian territory must be addressed through legal frameworks, historical evidence and bilateral agreements.
The party argued that many African countries continue to face unresolved colonial-era border disputes, which it said remain potential sources of conflict.
“Unless we resolve these border disputes peacefully, the talk of African Unity will be a mere dream,” PDOIS said.
The opposition party urged both governments to engage in dialogue and conduct physical boundary demarcation exercises to establish clear borders between the two countries.
PDOIS warned that acts of intimidation or the use of force could increase tensions and undermine the principles of African unity, cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
“We welcome the decision to refer to historical records and consult elders on both sides of the border. Diplomacy should be given a chance to resolve the matter,” the party said.
It called for the establishment of a transparent Joint Boundary Commission with clear timelines, parliamentary oversight and regular public updates.
PDOIS also recommended the use of modern technology, including satellite imagery and archaeological studies, to support efforts to determine historical boundary markers.
The party said if bilateral negotiations fail, both countries should consider referring the matter to third-party arbitration, including the International Court of Justice or the African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania, with both sides respecting the outcome.
It further encouraged indigenous peace practitioners, Pan-African leaders and statesmen to contribute towards reducing tensions and finding lasting solutions.
PDOIS called on the Gambian government to act decisively and transparently while involving citizens and the National Assembly in efforts to resolve the Bulock dispute and other outstanding border issues with Senegal.
The party urged both countries to establish technical teams to physically demarcate their shared borders in order to prevent future confrontations and preserve the longstanding relations between the Gambian and Senegalese peoples.
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