Latest news with #MovementofDemocraticForcesofCasamance
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Senegal has signed a deal with separatist rebels. But will it end one of Africa's longest conflicts?
A new peace deal between Senegal and a separatist rebel group in the country's southern region has been touted by the government as a key step in ending one of Africa's longest conflicts. Analysts, however, say it did not involve all the rebels and fails to address the root causes of the conflict. The deal, signed by the government and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance was announced by Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during a visit to neighboring Guinea-Bissau on Monday. Past peace deals have failed to end the fighting in the Casamance region, which is separated from the rest of Senegal by the nation of Gambia and has historically suffered from lower development rates and access to markets in the more prosperous north. The rebels have been fighting for Casamance's independence since the early 1980s, arguing that the region has suffered neglect by the government. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko touted the latest peace agreement as an important step in ensuring lasting peace in Casamance, home to some 1.6 million people. The deal offered a presidential pardon for imprisoned rebels as well as amnesty and a social reintegration path for other rebels, according to Vincent Foucher, a political scientist at the France-based National Center for Scientific Research, with knowledge of the agreement. However, it involves only a faction of the rebel group that is less potent than two others and excludes the hardline faction led by Salif Sadio, the most powerful of the rebel leaders, said Foucher. 'I don't see a solution yet. It's a continuation of endless discussions with a divided movement,' he said. 'The Senegalese state is not prepared to make the political or administrative concessions demanded by the other factions that have not signed the peace agreement.' Senegal's government did not immediately respond to AP's inquiry for comments about the claims. The rebels' calls for the region's independence will be difficult to neglect despite the new deal, said Mohamed Traoré, a doctoral researcher at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar. 'Casamance nationals, especially the young, are proud to belong to the Senegalese state today, but the MFDC's hard wing continues to call for independence,' said Traoré. The rebels have not publicly spoken about the deal. However, Amidou Djiba, a spokesman for one of the factions not involved in the peace deal, earlier this year accused Senegal's government of 'choosing the people it talks to,' a trend he said would not help the return of peace in the region. ___ Ahmed reported from Bamako, Mali.
The Hill
27-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Senegal has signed a deal with separatist rebels. But will it end one of Africa's longest conflicts?
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A new peace deal between Senegal and a separatist rebel group in the country's southern region has been touted by the government as a key step in ending one of Africa's longest conflicts. Analysts, however, say it did not involve all the rebels and fails to address the root causes of the conflict. The deal, signed by the government and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance, or MDFC rebel group, was announced by Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during a visit to neighboring Guinea-Bissau on Monday. Past peace deals have failed to end the fighting in the Casamance region, which is separated from the rest of Senegal by the nation of Gambia and has historically suffered from lower development rates and access to markets in the more prosperous north. The rebels have been fighting for Casamance's independence since the early 1980s, arguing that the region has suffered neglect by the government. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko touted the latest peace agreement as an important step in ensuring lasting peace in Casamance, home to some 1.6 million people. The deal offered a presidential pardon for imprisoned rebels as well as amnesty and a social reintegration path for other rebels, according to Vincent Foucher, a political scientist at the France-based National Center for Scientific Research, with knowledge of the agreement. However, it involves only a faction of the rebel group that is less potent than two others and excludes the hardline faction led by Salif Sadio, the most powerful of the rebel leaders, said Foucher. 'I don't see a solution yet. It's a continuation of endless discussions with a divided movement,' he said. 'The Senegalese state is not prepared to make the political or administrative concessions demanded by the other factions that have not signed the peace agreement.' Senegal's government did not immediately respond to AP's inquiry for comments about the claims. The rebels' calls for the region's independence will be difficult to neglect despite the new deal, said Mohamed Traoré, a doctoral researcher at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar. 'Casamance nationals, especially the young, are proud to belong to the Senegalese state today, but the MFDC's hard wing continues to call for independence,' said Traoré. The rebels have not publicly spoken about the deal. However, Amidou Djiba, a spokesman for one of the factions not involved in the peace deal, earlier this year accused Senegal's government of 'choosing the people it talks to,' a trend he said would not help the return of peace in the region. —-
Russia Today
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
African state reaches peace with separatists
Senegal's government has signed a peace agreement with the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) to end one of Africa's longest-running conflicts, state media reported on Monday. The deal, mediated by President of Guinea Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo, was finalized on Sunday after three days of negotiations between MFDC representatives and a committee from Dakar, according to Senegalese broadcaster RTS. 'We were able to participate in the conclusion of this important agreement which constitutes a very big step towards definitive peace in Casamance,' RTS quoted Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was on an official visit to Guinea-Bissau as saying. The talks, the first between the MFDC and the Senegalese authorities that have been made public since their election last March, are part of a series of efforts aimed at restoring peace in Casamance – a region in the West African nation's south plagued by a separatist rebellion for over four decades. Casamance has been the site of conflicts since 1982, driven by the separatist MFDC, which has been battling for independence due to frustrations over alleged marginalization and exploitation by the central government. The conflict, which has resulted in thousands of casualties, has continued but at a less intense level in recent years. In 2022, the Senegalese government, led by former President Macky Sall, reached a similar agreement with the group, with both parties committing to end armed clashes and establishing a permanent ceasefire. The authorities also announced a program to disarm MFDC members and reintegrate them into society. At least 250 MFDC fighters reportedly surrendered their weapons in May 2023 in Mongone, in the Ziguinchor region, where they had a major armed base. The latest agreement reached between Prime Minister Sonko, who was formerly the mayor of Ziguinchor, Casamance's capital, reportedly upholds the commitment made in the 2022 deal, which was also signed in Bissau. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has been in office for less than a year, declared in his end-of-year address last December that peace in Casamance is his top priority. He launched the Diomaye Plan for Casamance to facilitate the return of displaced people, the peace process, and the development of the troubled region.
