West Africa: Tension rises between the Gambia and Guinea Bissau

Days after Kumba Iala, President of Guinea Bissau, declared that his country would “crush” The Gambia, his counterpart in Banjul, President Yahya Jammeh, has expressed his concern, raising tensions between the two countries in western Africa.

Accusing The Gambia of supporting opposition elements inside Guinea Bissau and of fomenting instability in the country, President Kumba Iala declared on 11th June that his country would “crush” The Gambia, a country set inside Guinea Bissau’s northern neighbour, Senegal.

Banjul has replied, President Yahya Jammeh declaring that “it is not worth replying to these badly intentioned, slanderous and unfounded accusations”.

The Gambian Foreign Ministry has already issued declarations describing Kumba Iala’s statements and accusations as “false, unfounded, wrong and totally against the spirit of good neighbourly relations”, calling on Kumba Iala to withdraw his accusations and threat of war, a withdrawal which has not to date been made.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru