Since 2017, the women of Bwiam, The Gambia, have abandoned their rice fields due to the presence of ECOMIG forces, despite the military insisting they pose no threat to the farmers. The lingering fear and discomfort stem from past threats and the ongoing presence of armed patrols near their homes. The military's presence in the region, a legacy of former President Yahya Jammeh's rule, continues to be a source of tension.