After almost thirty years, Aminata and Moustapha Sané, originally from the village of Bissine, have returned with their children to rebuild their lives in the land of their ancestors. Forced to flee Bissine in 1992 due to violent clashes between the Senegalese army and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance, the Sané family found refuge in Gambia, where Aminata and Moustapha met and eventually married. Despite their years in exile, the couple never lost their longing to return to Bissine.

A long-awaited return

Aminata, who was only two years old when they fled, grew up hearing stories of her village and was

determined to raise her children there. She and Moustapha, like others in exile, organized meetings to keep their dream of returning alive. Moustapha had attempted to return in 2008 and 2014 but was deterred by reports of unrest. It was ultimately Aminata who insisted on the return, and in 2021, they made the journey back, with Moustapha following in 2022.

Upon their return, the family lived with other returning families in a large hut while houses were rebuilt. In late 2022, they moved into their own house, built by Moustapha. Aminata expressed her joy at being back home, stating, “Being at home is the best life there is.”

Life in the village

In 2021, Bissine was still plagued by explosive devices from past conflicts. Concerned for their safety, the community called on the Centre National d’Action Antimines au Sénégal (CNAMS), and in 2022, Handicap International (HI) conducted mine clearance operations. After four months of work, HI’s deminers cleared almost 95,000 m² of land and destroyed 15 explosive devices, making the area safe for residents.

Today, the Sané family earns a living from their fields, with Moustapha selling vegetables to local hotels. Despite challenges like red monkeys raiding his watermelon crop, Moustapha remains determined to succeed. Aminata tends to the house and chickens and plans to start a kitchen garden.

Their children, Fatmata, Samsidine, and Mame Diambame, attend the village school, walking there every day. The couple is hopeful that more families will return to Bissine, inspired by their example of rebuilding and prosperity in their ancestral land.

Senegal estimates that 1,200,000 m² of land in five departments are contaminated by conflict-related explosives. HI’s demining operations in Casamance, where they have cleared over 900,000 m² since 1996, aim to clear 800,000 m² more by 2025, contributing to the region’s security and socio-economic recovery.