Senegal: in Casamance, local elected officials call for an end to insecurity
Local elected officials are asking for security in the region, in particular to allow the populations to resume their activities, such as growing bananas and rice.
(illustrative image) Vanessa Anaya / Flick'r / CC
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
The military maneuvers launched on January 26 are continuing in Casamance, in southern Senegal.
Heavy weapon fire, sweeping… According to the general staff, it is a question of “neutralizing the armed elements which have found refuge in this area”.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Dakar
,
Charlotte Idrac
It has been almost 40 years since Casamance has been shaken by a conflict between the state and the MFDC separatists.
Despite ceasefire agreements and a lull in recent years, clashes take place regularly in the region.
For local elected officials, it is high time to put an end to this situation of "neither war nor peace".
In the commune of Djibanar, 23 villages have been abandoned for twenty years.
In recent months, residents have started returning to their land, accompanied by soldiers.
But insecurity continues.
It is time for this to stop, according to Ibou Diallo Sadio, mayor of Djibanar.
"
From the office of President Abdou Diouf to President Abdoulaye Wade, now President Macky Sall ... All these presidents have experienced this war situation in Casamance while I believe that at some point, you have to know how to put a end to everything.
Senegal is an indivisible country, this situation has lasted too long.
"
The army is carrying out a search because there is a rebel base in the area.
Here you have 23 villages displaced for almost thirty years and today the army is carrying out a search to allow these populations to return to their native land.
Ibou Diallo Sadio, mayor of the municipality of Djibanar
Charlotte idrac
Rebel elements of the MFDC - divided movement - are singled out.
There is also banditry, against a background of cannabis and wood trafficking.
For Moussa Bocoum, president of the departmental council of Goudomp, the region needs security in order to develop.
“
There are clashes from time to time, so the populations are deprived of their possessions.
The department, which is part of the Sédhiou region, is second in banana production, in river rice production ... We need development so we have to secure this area to allow these populations to resume their activities or to invest.
"
In Dakar, the authorities remain silent on the latest events in Casamance.
Before his re-election in 2019, the president assured that “
final peace
” was one of his priorities.
►
To read:
The Bissau-Guinean authorities are monitoring the military operation in neighboring Casamance
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Senegal