Senegalese soldier killed by rebels amid calls for referendum

A Senegalese soldier has been killed and two others wounded following a clash with separatist rebels in Casamance.

According to the military, an army patrol was attacked by members of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) in a remote region of the disputed territory. A subsequent gun battle lasted nearly five hours before the rebels withdrew. A Senegalese Army Officer said he believed that the MFDC also suffered casualties. The fighting took place near the Gambian border and north of the regional capital Ziguinchor.

The attack brings to 16 the number of Senegalese soldiers killed in rebel attacks since the beginning of the year. Earlier this month, the Senegalese government rejected calls from separatists for a referendum on independence. The slow pace of progress since the 2004 ceasefires has resulted in MFDC units carrying out sporadic attacks on government forces.