The combatants of the Diakaye faction have officially laid down their arms. The ceremony took place on Saturday in the village of Mongone, in the presence of actors and partners for peace, and the Governor of Ziguinchor. A page is turning in the area!

Historic! It was contained in the peace agreement signed in Bissau on August 4: the Diakaye camp officially laid down their arms on Saturday in the village of Mongone, located in the commune of Djinaky, in the department of Bignona. A historic and symbolic event after more than 40 years of conflict and more than 5,000 victims, including thousands of displaced persons.

“If I made this commitment to fatigue Casamance where I live, may God kill me today. But I am convinced that my involvement in the forest was to save my brothers and sisters, relatives. It is this same commitment that today made me decide to lay down my arms to save lives and spare my relatives,” said Fatoma Coly. The commander of the combatants of the Diakaye faction continues: « We cannot be afraid of death and sow violence, ask for peace and be in violence. » He blames no one because everyone wants peace. However, underlined Mr. Coly, “if one does not know how to seek peace, certainly, one will not see, one will not understand the path taken by those who work for peace. But you just have to approach them and ask”. He excludes no one in this construction site of peace. « Mr. Mayor said it here. Working and spoiling everything you’ve worked for doesn’t make sense. Working and then running away and leaving everything behind doesn’t make sense, » lamented the now ex-combatant. Fatoma Coly explained: “The development we were looking for is what we are talking about today. Diakaye has surrendered to the government, what we want is development, and that is what you are looking for. 

Addressing the villages of Mongone, Brikamanding, Sambouladiang, Balonguine, Kateum Teum, which surround Diakaye, he said: « All that I have committed as a fault towards you, forgive me for that in this life and in the Hearafter. In this world, no one is perfect. It is in the exercise of one’s mission that one can do good, and sometimes harm. Forgive me and my elements for the harm I have done, and help me in what I am doing to save Casamance. »

After the act, fighters led by Fatoma Coly
Henri Ndecky calls on the other factions of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance to follow the path of the Diakaye fighters. The coordinator of the sub-regional coordination of civil society organizations for peace in Casamance (Cospac) reached out to dissident fighters.  “If they think that we are their brothers, their sons, that we can provide a solution, we are ready to support all the factions today to discuss with the State of Senegal.” Mr. Ndecky asks the government to occupy the camps in the area.
In addition, he wonders: “Why do people want to block the peace process when in more than 40 years you have thousands of victims, leaving without having chosen to leave. Do we have the responsibility to kidnap, to take someone’s life, simply because we have our own interest? The Cospac coordinator invites all 14 regions to support the peace process, ignoring the personal interests that have blocked the process for 40 years. According to him, the fighters have always wanted to have an attentive ear during negotiations.
The Frédéric Hébert Foundation, Usaid, Ajws, Malao, Unicef, Cnams, the Henry Dunant Humanitarian Center are the technical partners who have supported the peace process.  

For the Governor of the region, the ceremony is written in golden letters in the annals of the history of Senegal. According to Guedj Diouf, the deposition of arms by the Diakaye faction is an act of bravery reflecting its strong commitment to peace and to working for the economic and social development of Casamance. “You certainly need courage to make war, but you need even more courage to make peace. By this act, you are entering history to remain there forever by showing your brothers from the other factions of the Mfdc the way to follow for a definitive peace in Casamance”, declared the Governor. For this, he continued, “you deserve the respect and esteem of everyone. You must therefore be proud of yourselves, and with your head held high, resolutely continue your path towards peace and the harmonious and sustainable economic and social development of Casamance, because there is no turning back when the horizon continuously invites you”. Those who laid down their arms today (Saturday) will have to resume their place in social life and reintegrate into the community. To do this, regardless of the suffering or damages, Mr. Diouf invites everyone to forgive and reconcile, to learn to forget and to look ahead in order to establish lasting social peace. “The state will be on your side. In accordance with the vision of the President of the Republic, the efforts made so far will be continued and strengthened for the development of the Diakaye area and the entire region”, promised the Governor.

By Khady SONKO / ksonko@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH