SENEGAL 4/2/2010 11.05
CASAMANCE: ARE THE SEPARATISTS IN ACTION AGAIN?
	Other , Standard
There is contradictory news related to the resumption of activity by the separatists in the Senegalese region of Casamance, in the far south of the country. Sources in nearby Guinea Bissau and some witnesses, quoted by international news agencies, a few hundred inhabitants from the province of Sedhiou (in Casamance) are said to have crossed the border seeking refuge in Guinea Bissau, after the separatists of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) attacked and set fire to some villages driving inhabitants away. The initial estimates suggest that fewer than a thousand people have taken refuge in Guinea, where the Red Cross and authorities, yesterday, came together to evaluate these people’s immediate needs. Senegal has not yet confirmed news of the renewed attacks in Casamance by the separatists. Senegalese authorities have reiterated that they have not had reports of new violence in the southern region, where, formally, since 2004 peace has reigned after the signing of an accord between the separatists and the government. In fact, as happens often, some MFDC fringe factions have never recognized that agreement, announcing they would continue to pursue armed struggle. After years of relative calm, as of 2009, there has been an onslaught of rumors and news, difficult to confirm, that there has been a resumption of armed activity by some groups who claim the separatist cause. Last week, armed groups claiming to belong to the MFDC set ambushes along some of the main arteries around the area of Ziguinchor, capital of Casamance, even kidnapping some local officials.