Senegal: Heavy fighting in Casamance

  1. Posted on Thursday 27 August 2009 - 09:00
    KingsleyKobo
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    Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
    Heavy fighting between the regular army of Senegal and alleged separatist troops yesterday perturbed the relative peace the Casamance region in Senegal has been enjoying since a ceasefire deal in 2002. Local residents fled the streets, shutting shops and hiding out in plantations.
    sengal map
    According to Senegal’s RTS media, automatic weapon and rocket-propelled grenade fire was heard in Casamance main city, Ziguinchor before nightfall on August 25.

    The clashes between Senegalese soldiers and fighters suspected to be with the Movement for the Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) – Casamance rebel group, came four days after similar fighting took place some 10km south of Ziguinchor, according to www.irinnews.org

    Residents and local authorities told RTS that the earlier fighting forced scores of people to flee their homes. Aid workers said it was not yet clear how many people had been displaced.

    “We have not seen fighting like this here since 2002," a resident said on television.

    “The fighters were in groups of five.” Another resident said. “They came and blocked all the exits from the neighbourhood, stealing bicycles, mobile phones and identity papers from residents and from people returning late from their farms.”

    “They told us not to go to our plantations because they will suspect us of being army informants”, he added.

    Buildings of the University of Ziguinchor were hit by bullets and an explosive from a rocket-propelled grenade, according to university personnel and students.

    Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. It is the site of one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, sparked when MFDC separatists launched a rebellion in 1982.

    The region, with agriculture as main source of local income, has known sporadic violence as a definitive settlement is yet to be achieved.

    Rebels turned bandits constantly attack innocent civilians. Landmines have killed and injured hundreds of people since 1990.

    Observers say the latest events underscore the need for a sound peace agreement that would bring permanent stability to the region.

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