Casamance: meeting with the head of the MFDC who accuses ECOWAS of being the source of tensions
The forests of Casamance, in Senegal, are the source of precious wood trafficking but also shelter the armed rebellion of the MFDC (illustration image).
Mathieu Damman/Wikimedia Commons
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
During the clash that occurred on January 24 with the separatists of the MFDC, four Senegalese soldiers were killed, according to the staff in Dakar, and seven others are still captives of the rebel movement in Casamance, near the Gambian border.
At the scene of the clash, RFI was able to meet the rebel leader Salif Sadio, who accuses the soldiers of the ECOWAS standby force of being behind the event.
Advertising
Read more
With our special correspondent in Casamance,
Allen Yero Emballo
After several hours of trail in the forest, we finally arrived in Bajagar, a town in Casamance near the Gambian border.
It is here that Salif Sadio, the rebel leader of the MFDC and his men have set up one of their bases.
White tunic firmly screwed on his head, on the forehead of which a mirror sparkles, the rebel leader returns to
the clash of January 24
.
“Something really unfortunate happened. Armed troops from Gambia territory came to attack our bases, with heavy weapons. During this attack, we killed two people, whom we returned, to at least reduce the suffering of the families, and seven prisoners of war, weapons in hand.
Each said they were part of the ECOWAS troops, based in Gambia.
With what mission: that of protecting the government in place, that's what they said… Be that
as it may, I have seven prisoners with me;
the fight took place in Casamance territory, they crossed the border to come and attack me;
I returned the dead to ECOWAS because when ECOWAS recognized that yes, it was their elements, we had to return their dead to them…”
What will happen now?
Is Salif Sadio ready to release these prisoners and under what conditions?
"
I don't know who I'm going to return them to if it's not ECOWAS,
we
replies the rebel leader
.
(They are) the owners anyway!
Because if their envoys are interested, let them come talk to me.
If the conditions are met, they are immediately released.
In 2012, I returned Senegalese prisoners - from the Senegalese army - without conditions!
If Senegal is really committed to negotiating, to sitting down to talk in peace, to talk peacefully with the MFDC to settle the Casamance problem, where is the problem, I will give them back the prisoners!
»
Salif Sadio had initiated peace talks.
According to the head of the MFDC,
the clash of January 24
can harm the truce, but cannot stop the negotiations.
To the question: do these clashes not harm the negotiation process that is underway, which is led by the San'Egidio community?
"
Here, it's an attack from ECOWAS, a foreign attack,
replies Salif Sadio
.
It may harm, perhaps, but it cannot stop the negotiations.
There is a case of war between Senegal and Casamance and another case which is the war (with) ECOWAS... (But) I don't know why, because I haven't yet had an explanation of this war… "
Recovered, the rebel leader however warned the Gambian authorities about the use of their territory by ECOWAS to attack its bases.
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
Gambia
Casamance
ECOWAS