Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – In a crucial step towards ending over four decades of conflict, the Senegalese government and the provisional committee of the political wing of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) signed a follow-up peace agreement on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The agreement establishes a ceasefire, the surrender of weapons, the regrouping of rebel fighters, and their social reintegration into society.

The agreement was initialed in Bissau under the mediation of Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, in the presence of Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. It specifically applies to the MFDC’s southern front, based in Kassolol and led by Cesar Atoute Badiate. The Swiss humanitarian organization “HD” facilitated the negotiations, continuing its commitment to bringing both parties together for a definitive peace in Casamance, Senegal’s southern region that has been plagued by insurgency for over 40 years.

The signing was witnessed by the head of the Senegalese negotiating team, the leader of the rebel delegation, a representative from HD, and Guinea-Bissau’s military counterintelligence chief, Major General Samuel Fernandes.

Building on Previous Commitments

This latest agreement follows a previous declaration of mutual engagement signed on August 4, 2022, in Bissau. That agreement outlined the framework for the rebels’ disarmament and the steps toward a peaceful resolution.

The MFDC delegation also submitted a document titled Proposals for Points for Discussion, emphasizing four key areas: security, politics, justice, and the role of the political wing of the unified fighters.

By signing Sunday’s agreement, the rebel group reaffirmed its commitment to the 2022 declaration and expressed its willingness to reach a permanent peace deal, including the complete deposition of arms.

PM Sonko: “A Stable Casamance is Key to Development”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko reiterated the importance of peace for Senegal’s future, thanking President Embalo for his mediation.

“President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has an ambitious economic and social development plan for Casamance, but it cannot be implemented without definitive peace,” Sonko stated.

He further emphasized the interconnectedness of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, saying, “Everything that impacts Senegal also impacts Guinea-Bissau, and vice versa. We must pacify this space to place our country on the path of development by addressing the legitimate concerns of the population.”

Guinea-Bissau’s Role in the Peace Process

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo highlighted Guinea-Bissau’s role in brokering peace, recalling that negotiations had been ongoing in Bissau since February 19 before culminating in the signed agreement.

“We cannot play with Senegal’s stability in Guinea-Bissau, just as Senegal cannot play with our stability,” Embalo asserted. He referenced past conflicts, particularly the 1998 political and military crisis, which forced many Bissau-Guineans to seek refuge in Senegal, underscoring the deep ties between the two nations.

Embalo also noted the strong interest of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in securing peace in Casamance, calling it a crucial step for the region’s stability.

Towards a Lasting Peace

The Casamance conflict, one of Africa’s longest-running insurgencies, has caused immense suffering, with thousands displaced and periodic clashes between rebels and the Senegalese military. While previous peace efforts have been met with challenges, this latest agreement signals renewed momentum toward a permanent resolution.

With the backing of Guinea-Bissau and international mediators, the Senegalese government and MFDC’s southern front appear to be on a clearer path toward ending the long-standing conflict, paving the way for economic and social transformation in Casamance.