Clashes in Senegal

By Kylie M Tsudama

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ZIGUINCHOR, Senegal – An attack on separatist rebels on Sunday night left one dead and five injured.  More recent fighting left three dead and nine more wounded.

Government soldiers are fighting with Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) in the southern part of the country in Casamance province.

“When advancing our forces came under enemy fire and we lost a man.  Five others were wounded, including two seriously,” said an unnamed military officer.

The Senegalese army has been just south of Ziguinchor, Casamance’s main city, for several days raiding MFDC bases trying to clear them out.  Last week, two government soldiers were killed.

“We are continuing our operations,” said Colonel Ousmane Sar, army spokesman.  “[Rebels] are hanging on to their ground at all costs.  [As] long as there is resistance, we will continue to clear the area.”

On Monday morning, new fighting broke out about 110 miles east of Ziguinchor near the border of Guinea-Bissau.

“This morning, [the military] learned of the presence of armed elements in the area,” said a military source.  “Soldiers in place in Sareyoba went to the area to check.  The [rebels] opened fire on them and they responded.  There was an exchange of fire but calm quickly returned.”

When Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade came into power ten years ago, he promised that the Casamance rebellion would be resolved in “100 days.”  Last week, Wade said he was talking to some separatist rebels “who want peace.”

The separatist movement has been divided since Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor, the MFDC leader, died in January 2007.

Clashes between the government forces and the separatist rebels have increased in the last six months, despite a 2004 peace accord, and at least fifteen soldiers have been killed by rebels in that time.

For more information, please see:

Africasia – Clashes Intensify Between Senegal Army, Separatists – 22 March 2010

VOA – Senegalese Army Tries to Sweep Out Rebel Bases in Casamance – 22 March 2010

Africasia – Senegalese Soldier Killed in Attack on Separatist Rebels – 21 March 2010

Author: Impunity Watch Archive