DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A brand new peace deal between Senegal and a separatist rebel group within the nation’s southern area has been touted by the federal government as a key step in ending considered one of Africa’s longest conflicts. Analysts, nevertheless, say it didn’t contain all of the rebels and fails to handle the basis causes of the battle.
The deal, signed by the federal government and the Motion of Democratic Forces of Casamance, or MDFC insurgent group, was introduced by Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko throughout a go to to neighboring Guinea-Bissau on Monday.
Past peace deals have failed to finish the preventing within the Casamance area, which is separated from the remainder of Senegal by the nation of Gambia and has traditionally suffered from decrease growth charges and entry to markets within the extra affluent north.
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The rebels have been preventing for Casamance’s independence because the early Eighties, arguing that the area has suffered neglect by the federal government.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko touted the newest peace settlement as an essential step in making certain lasting peace in Casamance, house to some 1.6 million individuals.
The deal supplied a presidential pardon for imprisoned rebels in addition to amnesty and a social reintegration path for different rebels, in line with Vincent Foucher, a political scientist on the France-based Nationwide Middle for Scientific Analysis, with data of the settlement.
Nonetheless, it entails solely a faction of the insurgent group that’s much less potent than two others and excludes the hardline faction led by Salif Sadio, probably the most highly effective of the insurgent leaders, stated Foucher.
“I don’t see an answer but. It’s a continuation of limitless discussions with a divided motion,” he stated. “The Senegalese state is just not ready to make the political or administrative concessions demanded by the opposite factions that haven’t signed the peace settlement.”
Senegal’s authorities didn’t instantly reply to AP’s inquiry for feedback concerning the claims.
The rebels’ requires the area’s independence might be tough to neglect regardless of the brand new deal, stated Mohamed Traoré, a doctoral researcher on the Cheikh Anta Diop College of Dakar.
“Casamance nationals, particularly the younger, are proud to belong to the Senegalese state right now, however the MFDC’s exhausting wing continues to name for independence,” stated Traoré.
The rebels haven’t publicly spoken concerning the deal.
Nonetheless, Amidou Djiba, a spokesman for one of many factions not concerned within the peace deal, earlier this yr accused Senegal’s authorities of “selecting the individuals it talks to,” a pattern he stated wouldn’t assist the return of peace within the area.
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Ahmed reported from Bamako, Mali.
