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Gambia's interior minister says miscommunication causes gunshots

Xinhua, April 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Gambia's interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty told news conference on Friday that gunshots between ECOMIG forces and Gambian soldiers on Thursday was a result of miscommunication.

He confirmed that three Gambians soldiers were shot and wounded on their legs but their injuries were not life-threatening. He said the incident was a result of miscommunication between the command bases of both sides.

"At the time of the incident, our arm forces did not get clearance from the Gambia Arm Forces command base. The Gambian soldiers could not allow ECOMIG access. Fundamentally, the Senegalese forces, acting within their mandate which allows them unrestricted access to that area, also felt that they have a right of access to the place," Fatty said.

"There was no intentional effort by Senegalese soldiers to shoot anybody. It was an accidental discharge that resulted into minor injuries. They were all taken to the hospital and released the same day. The incident was regrettable."

He said there is no cause for alarm and that there was no serious confrontation between the Gambia Arm Forces and ECOMIG forces on the ground. He said it was a miscommunication that resulted to what transpired.

"The meeting took place between the ECOMIG and Gambian sides and we have reaffirm our commitment to work together to secure the country. There is no confrontation," he emphasized.

Fatty further praised Gambian soldiers for the responsible and disciplined attitude with which they handled the situation.

"Our soldiers are very experienced and they are very disciplined. They did not return fire which really helped in deescalating the tension. All measures have been taken to avert this kind of a situation," he said.

Fatty said the incident has been used by people he called 'confusionists' to peddle rumours that the country is not safe or certain people are being targeted.

"ECOMIG forces are not here to be against us. They are here for us," he said.

The regional forces have been deployed in the Gambia on January 19 to restore democracy after country former president Yahya Jammeh refused to cede following an election defeat. Endit