The Casamance-based Separatists movement, MFDC has announced the release of seven Senegalese soldiers captured during a bloody clash last month along the Senegalese southern – Gambian border resulting in the death of two Senegalese Soldiers.
The released soldiers are part of the Ecomig forces serving in The Gambia.
At a ceremony held in the deep forest of Casamance, the MFDC Spokesman, Pape Sané said the soldiers were released on the humanitarian ground and cautioned Senegalese soldiers serving in the Gambia to stay out of Casamance.
The MFDC handed the soldiers over in a deal also signed by a representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Gambian military, and the Catholic Sant’Egidio charity.
“The strangers that the Gambia is hosting should stay within the Gambia,” MFDC Representatives Pap Sane said.
Senegalese troops were deployed to The Gambia as part of Ecowas forces, in 2017 to enforce President Adama Barrow’s election victory over then-President Yahya Jammeh.
The MFDC is behind breakaway conflict in Senegal’s southern region of Casamance that dates back to 1982 and has claimed several lives.
