President Macky Sall over the weekend welcomed a delegation from the former rebel faction of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), led by Fatoma Coly, at the presidential palace.

This meeting, occurring as President Sall nears the end of his second term, follows an agreement to cease hostilities between the government and an ad hoc committee established under his leadership.

In May 2023, 250 fighters under Fatoma Coly’s leadership laid down their arms, marking a pivotal moment in the Casamance rebellion.

The Senegalese government has committed to supporting these fighters and their families, as well as compensating communities affected by decades of conflict in the region. 

Senegal has grappled with a rebellion in its southern region led by the MFDC for over four decades, prompting military operations to quell the armed wing of the movement.