Casamance has taken a new step toward stability. On May 13, the leader of the Diakaye fighters, the governor of the Ziguinchor district, and the head of Senegal’s government were reunited in a historic handshake.
Over 5000 people have been killed in Senegal’s southern region of Casamance, causing thousands to relocate. Fighters from the Diakaye group have now agreed to lay down weapons.
The breakthrough comes after many years of negotiations. It comes as a result of the signing of Act (ii) of the peace agreement between the state of Senegal and the movement of the democratic forces of Casamance in March The state’s negotiator was optimistic about long-term stability.