AFRICA/SENEGAL - Young Catholics from Senegal for peace in Casamance

Dakar (Agenzia Fides) - La Jeunesse Etudiante Catholique (JEC) of Senegal is committed to peace in the Casamance region of Senegal wedged between Gambia and Guinea Bissau, for decades in the throes of a "low-intensity" secessionist war.
The JEC has created the Réseau National des Jeunes pour la Paix en Casamance (RENAPEC) with the participation of young people from 14 regions of the Country. The aim is to involve all the youth of Senegal, in collaboration with religious and political leaders, local authorities and NGOs, to restore peace in the region.
The coordinator of the RENAPEC said that all the Senegalese must be involved in the peace process, not just those who live in Casamance. "Ours is a network of action. The focal points installed in different departments of the Country must begin actions to promote peace in Casamance."
The General Director of the group Avenir Communication, Madiambal Diagne, pointed out that "those who fight the guerrillas, both from the side of the rebels and from that of the military government, are all young people."
The initiative stems from the reflections during the Forum of student leaders and women of Casamance, which was held at the University of Ziguinchor in July last year. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/06/2013)