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Africa News afrol News
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Africa News afrol News
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afrol.com, 23 August - Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal, today confirmed that he had started direct negotiations with the rebel Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de Casamance (MFDC). The governments of the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are also deeply involved in these regional peace efforts. Kumba Yala, President of the Republic of the Guinea-Bissau, also participated in today's press conference in Dakar, marking his departure from Senegal after a day's official visit to that country. President Wade said he is ready for direct talks with the guerilla movement MFDC, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau to end the conflict in southern Senegal, the state owned news agency, APS, reported. The war like situation has been going on for 18 years in Casamance, in the MFDC struggle for independence. However, president Wade preferred to "act discretely" in the case of Casamance, indicating that the press will not be kept updated on the talks. The Gambian president Jammeh has served as a mediator in the negotiations and will keep on doing so. Further, the new cooperation between the two governments of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau has facilitated the peace process very much. Earlier Senegalese and Guinean governments frequently accused each other of being responsible for the tension in Casamance. The former government of Guinea-Bissau was seen as an ally to the MFCD, and was suspected to provide a free haven for the operations of the guerilla. Presidents Wade and Yala, however different in age and style, have found a tone of cooperation that never before has existed between Dakar and Bissau, contributing grossly to the downgrading of the conflict. Shortly after taking office, however, Wade came under strong criticism from some opposition politicians for antagonizing his neighbours, especially Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia which facilitated peace talks between the MFDC and the administration of Wade's predecessor, Abdou Diouf, IRIN reports. Now, the winds of cooperation are blowing. The joint Senegalese-Guinean military border patrols, which started only last month, have helped stabilise the region, and protecting the civilians in what was turning a lawless zone - not so much for the MFDC guerilla, but independent bandits exploiting the situation. Talks with the MFDC ultimately have laid down, and the peace process has had its first crisis. Underlining his will not to resort to the military solution to solve the Casamance conflict, president Wade said he was convinced that no soldiers from Guinea-Bissau now are implied in the continuation of the conflict. From now on, he emphasized 'it will not be possible to infiltrate the Senegalese-Guinean border as the joint military patrols start operating'.
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