Senegal has reached a historic peace agreement with the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance, MFDC, bringing an end to one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.
The agreement, brokered by Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, was announced at a joint press conference in Bissau alongside Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The Casamance conflict, which began in 1982, has claimed thousands of lives and significantly disrupted the region’s economy.
The deal represents a major step toward lasting peace in Senegal’s southern Casamance region, which is geographically separated from the rest of the country by The Gambia. Prime Minister Sonko conveyed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s appreciation to Guinea-Bissau for its role in facilitating the negotiations, which lasted three days.
“We have successfully concluded negotiations between the MFDC and the state of Senegal,” Sonko stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to national unity and reconciliation.
The MFDC has been advocating for Casamance’s independence for over four decades, but recent years have seen increasing momentum toward peace.
In May 2023, at least 250 MFDC fighters surrendered their weapons in Mongone, signalling a shift toward reconciliation.
This latest agreement paves the way for stability, economic revitalization, and the reintegration of Casamance into Senegal’s broader development initiatives.
With this milestone, Senegal moves closer to closing one of Africa’s longest-standing conflicts, offering renewed hope for a peaceful and prosperous future in the region.
Africanews /Patience Ameh
Comments are closed.