Senegal president seeks talks with separatist rebels

Senegal's President Macky Sall. By Seyllou (AFP/File)

ZIGUINCHOR, Senegal (AFP) - Senegal's President Macky Sall said Wednesday he was ready to open talks with separatist rebels in the country's restive southern Casamance province.

"We are ready to open talks with the fighters and actors involved in the peace process, religious leaders and men and women of good will," Sall told journalists in Ziguinchor, the capital of the Casamance region.

"We want peace but there are procedures to create opportunities to meet. I extend a hand to Salif Sadio, Cesar Atoute Badiatte and the men of Ousmane Niantang Diatta", he said naming the different rebel chiefs.

The Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) has carried out a low-level battle for independence since 1982 in the region which is separated from the rest of Senegal by the tiny country Gambia.

These days they mostly carry out large-scale hijackings and terrorise villagers, occasionally clashing violently with the army. Several peace accords have failed as the rebel group split into different factions.

Prime Minister Abdou Mbaye, speaking to journalists on Tuesday night, promised a "dignified rehabilitation to those who commit to leaving the cycle of violence to devote themselves to the construction of the Casamance."

"This meeting is a strong sign and powerful message that President Macky Sall and his government firmly commit to take care of the deep needs of the Casamance ... peace, opening up, and development."

Mbaye was referring to a decentralised cabinet meeting which took place in Ziguinchor on Wednesday, the third of its kind after ministers met in the northern town of Saint-Louis and central Kaolack in recent weeks.

Sall, who was elected in March after beating former president Abdoulaye Wade, initiated the provincial cabinet meetings to better face the realities in each area and bring government closer to the population.