Formation of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces

In 1982, separatists in Senegal’s southern Casamance region formed the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), marking the beginning of a struggle for independence that would evolve into one of West Africa’s longest-running conflicts. Casamance, geographically separated from the rest of Senegal by The Gambia, had long experienced feelings of marginalization. The region’s majority Diola ethnic group often felt economically and politically neglected by the central government in Dakar, fueling resentment. On December 26, 1982, MFDC supporters staged a peaceful protest in Ziguinchor, the regional capital, demanding independence. Senegalese security forces responded with force, arresting demonstrators and killing several protesters. This crackdown radicalized the movement, pushing the MFDC toward armed resistance. The conflict that followed led to decades of violence, displacing thousands and stalling development in Casamance, despite repeated attempts at peace negotiations. #SenegalHistory #CasamanceConflict #MFDC #SeparatistMovement #ZiguinchorProtest #DiolaCommunity #WestAfricaPolitics #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife