We’re all familiar with American military training and the resulting expertise churned out. I hadn’t realized how far-reaching this training was until we were in a desperate situation in The Gambia, West Africa, while my husband and I were serving with the Peace Corps.
In the early morning hours of July 30, 1981, a group of political dissidents seized The Gambia’s only radio station, the airport and other key installations in an attempt to overthrow the government of President Alhaji Sir Dawda Jawara. We happened to be near the capitol city of Banjul at the time, rather than our home village 250 miles inland. We found ourselves stranded and in an unenviable position.
We crammed ourselves into a house with 116 other expatriates, mostly Americans, but also citizens of Germany, Sweden, India and others who sought safety and shelter. The battle raged around us for eight long days. Peace Corps and US AID personnel took leading positions in organizing the group. Bruce operated two radios, providing the only communications link between the Embasy in Banjul and the United States. The coup put us all in a precarious position and, although we remained officially neutral, our safety was not assured.
On the eighth day, we heard the whump, whump of helicopters landing on the nearby beach. In order to see this new threat, I stood on a chair to peek over a mattress we had put in front of a window for protection from flying glass.
Camouflaged African troops, all heavily armed, filed up the steep bank. They formed a circle around the house and began setting up their weapons. From my perch I described the scene to the others, wondering if this was good news or bad.
“Are they facing toward the house or away?” someone asked.
“They’re facing away.”
“Well, then, I’d say they’re protecting us.”
Two Englishmen accompanied the troops and we learned from them that these men were special forces from Senegal and were there at the request of President Jawara who was in England at the time attending the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. The Gambia and Senegal, which surrounds The Gambia on three sides, had a long-standing agreement for military assistance.
After things calmed down, I ventured outside to talk to one of our protectors. I started to walk toward him, then realized we probably couldn’t converse because I spoke neither Wolof nor French, the national languages of Senegal. I turned to look for someone who could interpret for me, but to my surprise the soldier said, “May I help you, Ma’am?” in a perfect Southern drawl.
“Where are you from?,” I asked, thoroughly confused.
“Senegal, but I received my training at Fort Benning, Georgia.” He sounded like a true Georgia native.
So here they were, Special Forces from Senegal, trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, protecting American citizens in The Gambia. It’s a small, wonderful world.
Wow! Amazing! It truly is a small world. Don’t you sometimes wonder how many others benefited from your time in the peace corp by your serving the needs of the people you did meet?
Wonderful story, Mary–truly a United Nations effort! I can hardly wait to read your book too!
That was quite the adventure, Mary, as was your entire African Peace Corps experience. Having read an advance draft of Tubob, I can say this is an excellent read! I highly recommend it.
I can’t wait to read more about your African adventures!
What an amazing story. With the military such a presence here in Colorado Springs, I was aware of the training, but never knew anyone who had been so affected by it. It is a small world with so many people who do so much we have to be thankful for.