Senegal: new military operation in Casamance
In Senegal, in Casamance, the army ensures that the situation is under control on the border with Guinea Bissau after two weeks of operations against the positions of MFDC fighters (February 9, 2021).
(Illustrative image) © Charlotte Idrac
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
This military operation launched this Sunday March 13, 2022 is a “
security
” mission, according to the staff in Dakar, in the north of this region agitated by the independence rebellion of the MFDC, near the border with Gambia.
This follows the clashes that occurred on January 24 between Senegalese soldiers from the ECOWAS force in Gambia, and combatants from the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance.
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With our correspondent in Dakar
,
Charlotte Idrac
"
Main objective
", according to the staff: "
to dismantle the bases
of the MFDC faction of Salif Sadio
located along the northern border
".
This operation also aims "
to destroy all armed gangs carrying out criminal activities in the area, and to neutralize any person or entity collaborating directly or indirectly with them
", further indicates the press release from the Dirpa, the Directorate of Information and Relations public armies.
“
Predictable
” operation
A "
predictable
" operation according to a good connoisseur of the Casamance file, after the attack against a Senegalese detachment of the ECOWAS mission, the regional organization, in The Gambia on January 24.
Assessment of this previous clash, on the military side: four soldiers killed, and seven held hostage by the branch of the MFDC led by Salif Sadio,
until their release on February 14
.
Reinforcement of patrols
On the other side of the border, in the south of Gambia, the authorities of Banjul indicate that refugees and displaced persons began to arrive Sunday evening in the Foni districts.
President Adama Barrow calls for enhanced border patrols, stressing according to the government statement that The Gambia "
will not be used as a launching pad, nor will it allow anyone to enter the country with arms and ammunition
".
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To listen also: Senegal, "The Casamance rebellion engages in criminal actions to survive"
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Senegal
Casamance