Gambiaj.com – (ZIGUINCHOR, Senegal) – Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, announced on Monday an ambitious national recovery plan for the Casamance region, aimed at revitalizing the economies of Ziguinchor, Sédhiou, and Kolda after decades of conflict. The plan, directed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, seeks to restore economic stability, rebuild infrastructure, and resettle displaced communities within the region over a two-year period (2024-2025).

The plan, dubbed the “President of the Republic’s Plan for Casamance,” is budgeted at 53.6 billion CFA francs. Its execution will be led by the National Agency for the Relaunch of Economic and Social Activities in Casamance (ANRAC), ensuring coordinated efforts to maximize resources. “This initiative represents a significant investment in Casamance’s future, addressing the region’s longstanding economic and social disruptions caused by years of conflict,” Sonko stated following an inter-ministerial meeting dedicated to supporting displaced residents returning to their homes.

Infrastructure and Decentralized State Services Key to Recovery

The primary focus of the recovery plan is the development of essential social infrastructure and the re-establishment of decentralized state services that had been suspended due to insecurity. This includes building schools, healthcare facilities, and public offices, crucial steps to providing essential services in areas that have been neglected since the escalation of the Casamance conflict in the early 1980s.

“Restoring balance in Casamance means addressing the absence of basic infrastructure that has persisted for decades,” Sonko explained, emphasizing the need to stabilize the region to encourage resettlement and economic growth.

Local Governance and Community Involvement

To ensure effective implementation, the government has mandated the formation of steering committees in each of the affected regions, supervised by the regional governors. This structure is intended to enable close monitoring of projects and facilitate dialogue with local communities, ensuring that projects meet the needs of residents.

The peace process in Casamance has made significant strides in recent years, allowing nearly 5,655 households to return to 197 previously abandoned villages. Sonko highlighted that 992 households from 33 villages still remain displaced, and pledged the government’s ongoing commitment to helping these families return under favorable conditions.

Special Budget for Demining Efforts

In addition to infrastructure development, the government has allocated a separate 10 billion CFA francs for a comprehensive demining operation across the region. Mines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose risks to returning residents, making this initiative crucial to securing safe passage for residents and supporting agricultural and economic activities.

Sonko’s plan is widely regarded as an important milestone in efforts to end Casamance’s longstanding instability and provide a foundation for sustainable growth. As implementation begins, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Casamance recovery plan will create a lasting positive impact, helping the region reclaim its role in Senegal’s economy and bringing peace to a region marred by decades of strife.