Senegalese Army Launches Offensive Against Casamance Rebels

In August 2006, the Senegalese army launched a military offensive against a faction of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), a separatist group fighting for independence in the southern Casamance region. This offensive targeted a holdout faction led by hardline rebels who had refused to join peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict, which had begun in 1982. The Casamance conflict had already caused widespread displacement and hardship, making this fresh military campaign a major development. The operation began on August 20, 2006, focusing on rebel bases near the border with The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, areas that had long served as hideouts for MFDC fighters. Heavy clashes were reported, with casualties on both sides, and thousands of civilians fled their homes to escape the violence. While the offensive weakened some rebel positions, it did not fully end the insurgency. The conflict in Casamance would continue intermittently for years, highlighting the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the region. #SenegalHistory #CasamanceConflict #MFDC #SenegaleseArmy #RebelOffensive #PeaceInCasamance #WestAfricaPolitics #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife