Senegalese soldier killed in conflict with Casamance rebels – Military

A Senegalese soldier was killed and 4 had been wounded throughout an operation towards separatist rebels within the southern area of Casamance, a military official stated Tuesday (Jan. 17).

The soldier died Monday (Jan.16) within the locality of Bignona the place the military has been conducting operations these previous few weeks to dam try by the Motion of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) to arrange a brand new base close to the border with The Gambia, press experiences urged.

Casamance, Senegal’s southernmost area, is nearly separated from the remainder of the nation by the tiny state of The Gambia.

On the time of the incident, the Senegalese forces destroyed hemp fields, in keeping with native media.

The MFDC has waged its marketing campaign to interrupt away since 1982 however signed a peace cope with the federal government final August, hailed as a primary step towards a everlasting finish to certainly one of Africa’s oldest energetic rebellions.

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has stated that ending the rise up is a precedence, and lately the federal government has begun returning Casamance residents displaced by the battle.

Officers additionally accuse the rebels of illicit trafficking of hashish and wooden, and of in search of refuge in The Gambia or in Guinea-Bissau to the south.