With rebels from Casamance who have agreed to give up their weapons and work for the region’s unwavering restoration of peace, Senegal has signed a peace deal.
The deal was signed at the president of the Guinea-Bissau Republic by rebel commander César Atoute Badiate, the leader of an MFDC (Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance) unit, and a representative of Senegalese President Macky Sall.
“Definitive peace” in Casamance is one of Macky Sall’s top concerns for his second term. Due to disagreements inside the MFDC, his attempts to resolve the conflict have failed to produce a definitive accord.
“I was ten years old when you went into the forest. I’m 50 today. That’s plenty, I believe. (…) How many individuals have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or fled their homes? We’ll be on your side as you look for peace “Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the president of Guinea-Bissau, addressed César Atoute Badiate.
1/1. La Commission de la CEDEAO se réjouit de la signature ce 04 Aout 2022 de l’accord de paix et de dépôt des armes entre le Sénégal et le Comité Provisoire des Ailes politiques et combattantes du MFDC.
— Ecowas – Cedeao (@ecowas_cedeao) August 5, 2022
The current head of the Economic Community of West African States stated, “I can guarantee you that we are going to be the guarantors of this deal” (ECOWAS). The signed document is still secret for the time being.
“I applaud the peace accord and armistice that Senegal and the interim committee of the political and fighting wings of the MFDC signed on August 4 in Bissau. I’m still dedicated to establishing a durable peace in Casamance “On Thursday night, President Macky Sall tweeted his appreciation for Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s mediation.
Since 1982, the MFDC has been engaged in a low-intensity conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. This battle was dormant until the Senegalese army launched a significant operation against the rebels in January 2021.
The Casamance rebels, who are charged with trafficking in marijuana and lumber, have frequently sought asylum in Guinea-Bissau or Gambia, two countries that border Senegal.
Prior to being given over to the French colonial empire in 1888 and then incorporated into Senegal in 1960, Casamance was a Portuguese possession for many centuries.
