Senegal and The Gambia Establish Senegambia Confederation to Enhance Regional Cooperation

On February 1, 1982, Senegal and The Gambia formed the Senegambia Confederation, a political union aimed at fostering cooperation and unity between the two neighboring countries. This nominal confederation was established to enhance economic collaboration and address common challenges. However, the union faced difficulties and was officially dissolved in 1989. One of the significant issues that arose during this period was the ongoing Casamance conflict, which began in 1982. The conflict is rooted in the aspirations of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), a separatist group seeking greater autonomy for the Casamance region in southern Senegal. Despite various peace talks and attempts to resolve the conflict, clashes between the MFDC and government forces have persisted sporadically over the years. In the early 21st century, there have been signs of progress, with President Macky Sall engaging in dialogue with rebel leaders in Rome in December 2012, indicating a potential path towards peace and reconciliation in the region. The history of the Senegambia Confederation and the ongoing Casamance conflict highlights the complexities of regional politics and the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the area.