Senegal: Military operations against rebel groups in Casamance

African countries are struggling with rebel group attacks which have seen a rise in recent months. A recent escalation was seen in Senegal authorities had to resort to military aggression.

Experts suggest that there were better ways to tackle the issue than launching a military offensive against fighters allied to the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance. This fighters group has been known for initiation of a separist movement in the southern part of the country.

It has nearly been two months since the death of four Senegalese soldiers. It was the same incident which also saw detention  of seven others by the rebels. They were caught in the border area with Gambia.

The seven members who were arrested are members of the West African military mission in the Gambia (Ecomig). Even though they have been released, their arrest has created quite a lot of uproar.

The Senegalese general staff talked about the issue releasing an official statement where he said, “As part of their regalian missions of securing people and property, the armies launched an operation on unday, March 13, 2022.”

This military operation is aimed at destroying all the armed gangs who have been conducting criminal activities in the area. The statement added that the army which is progressing towards the area are focused at preserving the integrity of the national territory.