Facing rising threats along its frontier with Mali, Senegal on Saturday revealed plans to bolster security by stationing new gendarmerie units in its eastern provinces.
The announcement follows a series of jihadist attacks last month in western Mali, one of which targeted Diboli, a border town just under 500 meters from Senegalese territory. The extremist group behind the assault, JNIM (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims), is believed to be seeking an expansion into Senegal, according to analysts.
The new deployments include a criminal investigation brigade in Tambacounda, a rapid surveillance and intervention unit, a gendarmerie company stationed in Saraya, and a full legion based in Kedougou.
Radical groups operating in the Sahel have long exploited local grievances and marginalization to attract recruits. JNIM remains particularly active across Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
In response to recent tactics used by jihadists, Senegal has also introduced a night-time ban on motorcycles in the eastern Bakel region—after fighters in Mali, including those involved in the Diaboli attack, used motorbikes for rapid assaults.
