AFRICA/SENEGAL - CASAMANCE SECESSIONISTS SAY “ THE WAR HAS ENDED”. PEACE IS NEARER BUT BEFORE WE CAN SPEAK OF PEACE WE MUST WAIT FOR THE RECONCILIATION COMMISSION TO FINISH ITS WORK

Friday, 10 October 2003

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Dakar (Fides Service) – After 21 years the war over secession for Senegal’s Casamance region territory inserted between the Gambia and Guinea Bissau, has come to an end. The announcement was made by Jean-Marie Biagui, secretary general of the Movement of Democratic Forces Casamance MFDC during a MFDC meeting which has just ended in Ziguinchor, the capital of the region. “The war has ended” he said to hundreds of delegates of the separatist group. Diamacoune Senghor MFDC founder and president said “from now onwards the MFDC will fight only those who fight peace in Casamance, to ensure that everyone may enjoy lasting peace”. In his speech the movement’s historical chief did not mention the word “independence” even once. However Jean-Marie Biagui did say that the MFDC struggle for social, economic, political and cultural development of Casamance must go on. “This development is important because it is another step forward in the process of the movement’s political maturation” a local political observer tells Fides Service. “The government was pleased at the MFDC announcement although no official statement was issued because any peace agreement must be stipulated within the framework of the Reconciliation Commission which comprises representatives of all parties, government, secessionists and civil society.”
The most radical MFDC elements, who refused to attend the meeting, have said they refuse to respect the new political line adopted by the leadership. There is a danger of a split in the MFDC which might mean that fighting will continue. “After the killing of its leader the MFDC military wing split into several groups some of which have adopted extremists positions” Fides sources confirm. “This means to speak of peace we must wait for the Reconciliation Commission to finish its work”
Casamance war for succession started in 1982. It has killed hundreds and displaced thousands. The region, one of the most fertile in Senegal, is home to people of different ethnic groups and different religions: Islam, Christianity, Animism. LM (Fides Service 10/10/2003 EM lines 32 Words: 387)