Gambia: Border Demarcation Progress Guided by Colonial Maps

• The Gambian government has provided updates on its border demarcation process, with the first phase of fieldwork completed as of September 2026, following a national security crisis in July.
• The Chief of Defence Staff has advised patience, stating joint commissions are handling the issue.
• Experts from Ghana and Burkina Faso are assisting, relying on colonial maps from 1889-1905 to identify border pillars.
• Approximately 30 kilometers of the border have been covered in the first phase of the pillar identification task, with nine agreements signed.
• There is a call for the government to engage media and border communities for transparency and to explain the reliance on colonial-era demarcations.

The Gambian government has been notably silent regarding the ongoing process of demarcating its border, leaving the public uninformed about any progress.

The Gambian government has provided updates on the ongoing process of demarcating its border, with the joint Gambia-Senegal Boundary Commission having completed the first phase of fieldwork covering nearly 30 kilometers as of September 2026. This progress follows a national security crisis of significant concern that arose in July of this year, directly linked to the unresolved border issue. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has addressed soldiers and local communities, confirming that joint border commissions from both countries are actively managing the situation and urging patience while these bodies complete their work. The first phase involved reaffirming colonial boundary pillars, recording geographical coordinates, and installing new pillars, with nine agreements signed. The work to delineate the boundary continues.

Independent media outlets, such as Foroyaa, have actively sought information on the matter. Through indirect channels, it has been learned that experts from Ghana and Burkina Faso are providing assistance to the two governments involved in the Gambia Senegal border demarcation. These experts are reportedly tasked with identifying historical border pillars, a process that relies heavily on colonial maps dating from 1889 to 1905. The indirect information suggests that approximately 30 kilometers of the border have been covered in this pillar identification exercise so far, highlighting the slow but steady progress being made behind the scenes.

The current Gambia border demarcation efforts are fundamentally rooted in historical agreements, specifically those established by colonial powers. The experts assisting the joint commissions are utilizing colonial maps from the period between 1889 and 1905 to locate and confirm the original border markers. This reliance on historical documents from the era of colonial Britain and France underscores the enduring legacy of colonial influence on contemporary African state boundaries, which often leads to complex challenges in modern border management.

While the technical work of identifying these pillars progresses, there is a strong recommendation for greater transparency and community involvement. It has been suggested that the process of identifying these historical markers should actively include communities residing near the border. This direct engagement would allow local populations to witness firsthand how the colonialists originally demarcated the boundary and understand the rationale behind the two governments' decision to adhere to these historically agreed-upon lines. Such an approach could foster greater acceptance and reduce potential disputes arising from the colonial maps Gambia border dispute.

The absence of official Gambia border commission updates from the government creates a vacuum of information that can breed speculation and distrust, especially in light of past security incidents. Engaging the media as partners in information dissemination is crucial for keeping the public informed about every step taken towards achieving a definitively demarcated border. This proactive communication would not only allay fears of recurrence following the July national security crisis but also ensure that citizens are aware of the progress and challenges involved in this critical national undertaking.

Foroyaa Gambia border information efforts highlight the public's need for clarity on this sensitive issue. The continued recommendation for the government to provide regular updates on the demarcation process emphasizes the importance of transparency for national stability. Without clear and consistent communication, the reliance on colonial maps and the work of Ghana Burkina Faso border experts Gambia could remain opaque, potentially leading to further uncertainty and challenges for communities and stakeholders in the border regions.

The lack of official communication on the Gambia's border demarcation process, particularly the reliance on colonial maps, creates uncertainty. Lawyers advising clients with interests in border regions (e.g., land, trade, security) should monitor for official updates and be prepared for potential future legal challenges or changes stemming from the demarcation, as the current lack of transparency could lead to disputes.

Source: Original reporting via Foroyaa