The MFDC rebel leader Salifu Sarjo leader has warned The Gambian government to refrain from being used as a proxy by the Senegalese government to start war in the Casamance region. Mr. Sarjo, who brags being a fighter and a warrior said he is not afraid to go to war with Senegal, including The Gambia. “I am a fighter. Senegalese leaders know me. They know that I am not the type who would run away from war. We have no business in Gambian politics. Your politics is your politics. Your government should refused to be used by Senegal to wage a war in Casamance. If the Senegalese forces in your country, should make the mistake to attack us, they will live to regret it. We want to see peace in The Gambia, but in a worst-case scenario, if we are attacked, we will fight back, if it means coming to The Gambia, we will do it. And no one knows the number of casualties, a war can bring,” the MFDC rebel leader remarked.
The Senegalese forces have been in the Foni region especially in Bwiam. Sarjo says Senegal is occupying the said area just for the sake of terrorizing communities.
“Once again, I want to emphasize that I am a fighter. I have never signed any international law. I have also not signed any ECOWAS treaty. If they want to bring war, let them bring on, we are ready,” he added.
Speaking in the local Mandinka dialect, Salifu Sarjo, told a Gambian journalist crew that the lasting peace between The Gambia and Casamance should be jealously safeguarded. Sarjo has accused Senegal of showing seeds of tribal discord in The Gambia. He cited the removal of soldier Omar Sarjo from The Gambian army to back up his allegations.
“Gambians should not allowed to be divided. They are trying to use tribe to divide you. I was shocked to read a fake news from your country, that I am the father of this soldier published in one of your newspapers. I am not that soldier’s father. I do not have a son. They are out to divide you. Right here in Casamance, Jollas are being profiled and falsely accused as rebels. They are doing the same profiling in The Gambia, by referring to Jollas as non-Gambians. They are persecuting the soldier because he is a Jolla. I am not his father,” Sarjo remarked, while holding a Gambian newspaper that published the story of soldier Omar Sarjo.
Sarjo noted that given the proximity of the two countries, it is wrong for citizens of the two nations to be harassed because of citizenship. He says Senegal’s agenda is to cause instability in the southern province of Casamance.
“Sadly, you will not see the son of Macky Sall, the son of Abdoulie Wade, and the son of Abdou Joof, send to the frontline to fight in Casamance. They recruit poverty-stricken Senegalese to send them to Casamance jungle to be killed. They used the sons of the poor as sacrificial lamb,” the MFDC leader remarked.
Salifu Sarjo has also accused Senegal of not honoring past peace deal accords that were signed in Italy. He says Senegal was in the business of violating such peace treaties.