Senegal announced on Saturday that it is deploying new gendarmerie units to its eastern regions in response to escalating security threats near the border with Mali.
The move comes after a wave of jihadist attacks in western Mali early last month, including an assault on Diboli—a border town located just 500 meters from Senegal’s Kidira. The attacks were carried out by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which analysts warn is aiming to expand its influence into Senegal.
Among the newly deployed forces are an investigation brigade in Tambacounda, a rapid response surveillance and intervention group, a gendarmerie company in Saraya, and a new gendarmerie legion based in Kedougou.
Jihadist groups like JNIM often exploit feelings of marginalization among Sahel communities to bolster recruitment. JNIM has been especially active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
In a related security measure, Senegalese authorities have imposed a nighttime motorcycle ban in the Bakel region—located along the border—after motorbikes were used in several attacks in Mali, including one in Diaboli.
