Abdou Diouf and Abbé Senghor meet in Ziguinchor for Casamance peace

On January 22, 1999, in Ziguinchor, then-President Abdou Diouf met with Abbé Augustin Diamacoune Senghor, the Secretary General of the Mouvement des forces démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC). The meeting, which included the presence of then-Mayor of Ziguinchor Robert Sagna, was marked by a symbolic handshake intended to foster dialogue and reconciliation in the Casamance region, which had been embroiled in conflict since 1982.

During his visit, which included a stop in Néma, President Diouf addressed large crowds regarding the severity of the “fratricidal war” affecting the southern part of the country. His speech was characterized by emotional appeals for peace, including the statement: “Casamance is hurting and I am hurting; Casamance is hurting and you are hurting; we are all hurting.” The event was widely documented by the press as a historic and poignant attempt to end seventeen years of armed conflict.