On Wednesday, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on Senegalese army troops attempting to enter a cannabis farm allegedly run by the Mouvement des Forces Democratiques de Casamance (MFDC).

The incident took place in the hamlet of Djitanga in the Casamance district of Bignona. It is a short distance from the border with the Gambian areas of Janack (west) and Jifangha (east) villages. According to military officials, a Senegalese soldier was taken to Ziguinchor’s Regional Hospital after suffering a critical leg wound. The injured soldier was successfully evacuated by Senegalese military forces.

Additionally, our sources have verified that while the injured soldier was being evacuated, a rebel commando from the MFDC ambushed the Senegalese defense forces. One of the insurgents was killed in the ensuing gunfire.

In an effort to prevent the Senegalese soldiers from lighting their hemp fields on fire, the MFDC rebels have recently routinely turned to using IEDs along the roadways that lead to their hemp farms.

In the meantime, despite the challenges involved, MFDC rebel leader Salif Sadio has reestablished contact with Senegalese government emissaries, particularly with the facilitators under Admiral Farba Sarr’s leadership.