Peace Pact Signed to End Casamance Conflict

In December 2004, the Senegalese government and the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) signed a peace agreement aimed at ending the long-running secessionist struggle in the Casamance region. The conflict, which began in 1982, had left thousands dead and displaced many more, making it one of West Africa’s longest and most devastating low-intensity conflicts. The peace pact, signed on December 30, 2004, in the Gambian capital, Banjul, was seen as a breakthrough after years of violence and failed negotiations. The agreement was brokered with the support of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh and included provisions for a ceasefire, the disarmament of MFDC fighters, and reintegration programs for former rebels. While the pact brought a reduction in hostilities and raised hopes for lasting peace, tensions and sporadic violence continued in the years that followed. Some hardline factions within the MFDC rejected the accord, leading to occasional clashes. Nonetheless, the 2004 agreement marked a significant step toward resolving the Casamance conflict and demonstrated the growing role of regional diplomacy in addressing West African security issues. #SenegalHistory #CasamanceConflict #PeaceAgreement #MFDC #SenegaleseGovernment #BanjulPact #WestAfricaPolitics #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife