416 Chapter 4
420 Gambia/433 Senegal
MID#2616
Dispute Number: 2616
Date(s): January 14, 1971 to March 23, 1971
Participants: 433 Senegal/420 Gambia
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Groundnuts were being smuggled into Gambia and luxury goods were
sent to Senegal. At least 10 percent of Gambia’s economy was involved in the smug-
gling business, and Senegal believed that the smuggling cost it three times Gam-
bia’s annual budget in revenue. Senegalese finance minister Jean Collin called the
smuggling Gambian “economic aggression.” On January 14, 1971, Gambian police
detained a Senegalese police officer and customs official in Bulock for chasing a
smuggler into Gambia. They were taken to Banjul, questioned, allegedly treated
badly, but then released. Senegal said they were in Senegal. On January 31, the Sen-
egalese army raided two Gambian villages, including Bulock, and seized three or
four people. Gambia protested to Senegal and to the United Nations over the invasion
of its territory. On March 23, the Senegalese-Gambian Defense Committee signed
a joint-defense agreement in Dakar in which Senegal guaranteed Gambia freedom
from external threats. The next day they released a joint communique announcing the
agreement. In early April (perhaps the 4th), Jawara visited Ziguinchor as the guest of
honor for Senegal’s 11th anniversary of independence. In June the two countries held
an inter-ministerial meeting that reaffirmed their joint efforts.
Coding changes: End Date changed from March 24, 1971.
MID#1384
Dispute Number: 1384
Date(s): July 10, 1974 to July 24, 1974
Participants: 433 Senegal/420 Gambia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On July 10, 1974, the Gambian government accused Senegalese forces
of crossing the border and violently arresting 20 farmers. On July 19, the Gambian
government lodged a formal complaint with Senegal. The Interstate Ministerial Com-
mittee was convened to discuss the incident, and Senegal accepted full responsibility
on July 24, and agreed to pay compensation to victims. However, Gambia paid the
reparations in an attempt to try to enhance relations with Senegal.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
MID#4351
Dispute Number: 4351
Date(s): July 7, 2002