The Gambian government has firmly denied accusations that Senegal is illegally exploiting its oil and gas resources, stating that the country remains in the preliminary stages of exploration and has not yet confirmed any commercially viable deposits. In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines responded to viral audio recordings and social media rumors alleging cross-border resource theft by Senegal. The government labeled these claims as “baseless and misleading,” stressing that no proven oil or gas fields currently exist in The Gambia that could be exploited by neighboring countries.
The Ministry clarified that while transboundary oil and gas fields are possible; as in the case of the Senegal-Mauritania Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project any shared development, known as “unitization,” would require mutual agreements based on verified discoveries on both sides of the border.
Officials called for calm and urged citizens not to spread misinformation, emphasizing that resource development should be guided by facts, diplomacy, and scientific data. The government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, regional cooperation, and responsible management of potential natural resources as exploration continues.
