Senegalese authorities have arrested Amidou Djiba, spokesperson for the “Mangoukouro” faction of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), highlighting persistent security challenges in the Casamance region.
Djiba was detained in Ziguinchor and transferred under escort to Colobane by the Dakar Research Section of the gendarmerie, acting on instructions from the public prosecutor.
While the specific judicial reasons for his arrest have not been made public, sources indicate that Djiba is closely aligned with the MFDC faction led by Abdou Elinkine Diatta, distinct from the so-called Southern Front.
The arrest underscores ongoing divisions within the MFDC, despite formal peace agreements aimed at ending decades of intermittent conflict.
Founded in 1947 as a political party, the MFDC evolved into an independence movement in the 1980s, with various factions engaging in armed struggle against the Senegalese state for several decades.
On 24 February 2025, a peace protocol was signed in Bissau between the Senegalese government and the Southern Front faction, led by César Atoute Badiate, pledging to lay down arms.
While hailed as a major step forward, the agreement did not include all MFDC factions, leaving unresolved internal fault lines that continue to challenge the pacification process.
Analysts say Djiba’s arrest is a reminder that achieving lasting stability in Casamance requires the cooperation of all MFDC components.
The region remains sensitive, with security operations and judicial actions reflecting the fragile nature of peace despite diplomatic efforts.
The Senegalese authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the legal proceedings against Djiba, but his detention is expected to have implications for ongoing negotiations and reconciliation efforts within the MFDC.
Observers note that the continued fragmentation of the movement illustrates the complexity of implementing peace agreements in regions with deeply rooted political and historical grievances, where formal commitments must be supported by the active participation of all factions to ensure sustainable peace.
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