Independence referednum proposed amid continuing violence in Casamance

Casamance separatists in Senegal have demanded that a referendum on independence be held by the end of the year. The call comes following increasing acts of violence attributed to separatist rebels in the region.

Casamance is a peninsula in southern Senegal which is almost completely separated from the rest of the country by The Gambia. It is home to the Jola people.

The Senegalese government has expressed concern over recent rebel attacks which have resulted in a number of deaths among the Senegal national army. Security Forces have said that the rebels have secured heavy weaponry including assault rifles, mortars and rocket launchers. On December 28th a Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) assault on the town of Bignona left seven soldiers dead. A number of rebels are said to have been injured. A military source confirmed to local papers that the army was taken by surprise and that questions are being asked as to how the guerrilla's have obtained heavy artillery. A caché of weapons destined for Casamance en-route from Iran were seized in Legos, Nigeria.


A leader of the MFDC has written to the African Union to ask for them to help organize an independence referendum for the region. This has been flatly rejected by the Senegalese government who have said that the situation in Casamance is not comparible with southern Sudan, which voted for independence earlier this month.

Renewed violence in Casamance has left 15 Senegalese soldiers dead since the start of the year.