By Momodou Justice Darboe
The defiant position of the leader of the armed wing of the separatist MFDC rebel group in Casamance for a complete divorce of the region from Senegal has not only been seen as a threat to the peace in the restive region but also one that could pose wider security implications to the neighbouring Gambia.
Salif Sadio, the hardcore leader of the military wing of MFDC, last Sunday renewed his demand for the independence of Casamance from larger Senegal. This, he believes, is the durable solution to the bloody insurgency in the region that claimed thousands of lives and limbs since its launch in 1982.
Members and officials of the independence movement over the weekend convened a conference at Koundiounghor near the Gambia border.
At Sunday meeting, a statement attributed to Salif Sadio and read on his behalf by Ousman Diedhou, said: “The thought tank led by Robert Sagna is far from legal. They say thinking about peace in Casamance, too much trouble in Casamance. Why did this group not reflect on the Casamancais massacre on Joola”s boat? The Oussoforal NGO and many other small groups are created by the Senegalese state to kill the MFDC.”
Sadio’s statement was an apparent response to the peaceful approach explored by the Peace Reflecting Group of Casamance under the leadership of Robert Sagna. Sagna was quoted by Sclate.com as saying:” We are not separatists. We are children of Casamancais. We will not share the same opinions as him [Sadio]. We have the right to oppose ideas that do not seem favourable to Casamance.”
So, as some players in the Casamance conflict continue to refuse an offer of autonomy by Senegal and as the search for lasting peace in the troubled region appears elusive, some security concerns have emerged at the other side of the border in The Gambia as to what it will mean for the country when Casamance descends into anarchy once more. A ceasefire by both sides in the conflict appears to be holding.
Reacting to the Sunday conclave, some settlers along the Gambia/Casamance border said they were worried that MFDC armed wing is still agitating for independence.
“Descent of Casamance into chaos can precipitate similar insecurity situation in our villages as history taught us for the long years the war was being waged,” a resident of Siffoe village in Gambia’s West Coast Region that bore the brunt of the armed insurrection, told this medium. Siffoe was a home to thousands of refugees who fled Casamance at the height of the rebellion in the late 90s and the beginning of the millennium.
A security expert who wishes to remain anonymous explained while commenting on the Sunday meeting said: “Certainly, Gambia ought to sit up with concern when peace and stability come under threat in Casamance.”
Since its launch, Casamance conflict has led to loss of thousands of lives and neighbouring Gambia was at the receiving end of refugee crisis, cross-border crimes such as armed robberies, cattle rustling, drug trafficking, extortions and other security related problems.
