Senegal President defends move on Gambia rebels

Press, 4 August 1981, Page 8

Senegal President defends move on Gambia rebels

NZPA-Reuter Dakar, Senegal The President of Senegal (Mr Abdou Diaf), defending his decision to send troops into neighbouring Gambia to crush a Marxist rebellion, said the coup attempt was a serious threat to his own country’s security. The troops were sent into Gambia at the request of the Gambian President (Sir Dawda Jawara) under a 1965 mutual defence pact to quell the rebels who seized power last Thursday when Sir Dawda was in London for Prince Charles’s wedding. Sir Dawda flew back to Gambia yesterday where some of the rebels, holding out against Senegalese troops and loyalist forces, are still threatening to kill hostages they are holding. These include one of Sir Dawda s

wives, his children, and Government Ministers.

The Senegalese President, speaking on television yesterday, said his Government had sent in troops' “to restore law and order for the security of our fellow citizens and to respect the defence agreement with Gambia.” He added: “The events in Gambia. constitute a serious threat to Senegal."

President Abdou Diaf, dismissing accusations from the Senegalese Opposition that the intervention' was demagogic, called it legitimate and necessary. He said calm had now returned to Gambia and he praised the performance of Senegalese troops who had intervened in a “swift, lucid, and organised action." Hospital sources said yesterday that nine Senegalese

soldiers had been killed and 32 wounded in the operation which involved air, sea, and land units of Senegal's armed forces.

But no over-all picture of the fighting has emerged from the Gambian capital of Banjul as communications have been cut since last Thursday. Sir Dawda said before flying back home that the revolt had been crushed, but the rebels still broadcast their threats yesterday even after troops had retaken Radio Gambia and Banjul airport.

Sir Dawda has alleged that the rebels have received arms and money from abroad, but he has not been specific. Last November he accused Libya of trying to destabilise his country and giving military training to Gambians.