Economic and Social Development: General Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and MFDC
Implementations
Economic and Social Development – 2005
It was agreed that the key to future development was removing land mines in the region. According to a UN study, 93 localities were contaminated by mines and/or unexploded ordnance, affecting 90,000 people. Numerous localities were inaccessible at the time of assessment.1
- “Violence Flares Up in Casamance Again,” United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks, June 12, 2009.
Economic and Social Development – 2006
In 2006, no official demining process took place. The Senegalese army demined pockets of the region on its own terms, and also cooperated with the Moroccan army to demine the Gambia and Guniea Bissau borders. Their efforts came to a halt following attacks from the MFDC.2
- “Lack of Peace Accord Hampers Demining in Casamance,” United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks, May 9, 2008.
Economic and Social Development – 2007
No official demining process took place.
Economic and Social Development – 2008
In February — more than three years after the signing of the peace accord — the government launched a landmine clearance program. A nine-member demining team, led by the government body CNAMS, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the NGO Handicap International (HCI), began modest demining efforts close to the Casamance capital. Three months later, it was reported that there was limited progress, due to a lack of adherence to the 2004 peace accord.1 Nevertheless, commentators identify 2008 as the year when demining activities commenced.3
- “Lack of Peace Accord Hampers Demining in Casamance,” United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks, May 9, 2008.
- “Senegal: Demining Faces Slow-Down,” Humanitarian News and Analysis, July 12, 2012.
Economic and Social Development – 2009
Humanitarian demining efforts of the NGO Handicap International were hampered by insecurity in Casamance.4
- “Confronting Aid Challenges in Volatile Casamance,” United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks (Nairobi), October 19, 2009.
Economic and Social Development – 2010
NGOs were engaged in demining activities.5
Economic and Social Development – 2011
The conflict continued to limit the economic potential of the agriculturally fertile Casamance region.6 A positive sign was the handing back of land to locals after an internationally-financed operation removed landmines in the area. Sixteen villages were reopened.7
- “Senegal, Assessing Risks to Stability,” The CSIS Africa Program, June 2011.
- “Demined land handed back to locals in Senegal’s Casamance,” Agence France Presse, March 12, 2011.
Economic and Social Development – 2012
As of February, many villages remained heavily mined.8 President Wade blamed MFDC rebels, who he argued were the ones that planted landmines, and said that any demining efforts would require rebel participation.9 According to the news, demining efforts were expected to slow down. In the areas of Casamance where fighting continued, mines were reportedly being planted. In other areas, no demining efforts had been made to date.10 The Casamance Head of Mission for the NGO Handicap International, Jean-François Lepetit, estimated that 90 percent of the total mined land is yet to be cleared, most of it in northern Casamance along the Gambian border. Limited progress was nevertheless made, with six villages declared mine-free in June. International actors, such as the EU, supported such efforts financially.11
- “Senegal’s Wade takes campaign to restive Casamance,” Agence France Presse, February 11, 2012.
- “Wade woos voters in strife-torn Casamance,” Agence France Presse, February 11, 2012.
- “Casamance Mine Removal Slows,” United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks (Nairobi), July 12, 2012.
- “Senegal: Demining Faces Slow-Down,” Humanitarian News and Analysis, July 12, 2012.
Economic and Social Development – 2013
As of 2013, many villages remained heavily mined. No meaningful development related activities observed.
Economic and Social Development – 2014
As of 2014, many villages remained heavily mined. No meaningful development related activities observed.