According to an article published by the Fourth World Center for the Study of Indigenous Law and Politics, the Mouvement des forces démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC) was formed in 1947 to fight for the independence of the Casamance region of Senegal (12 Mar. 1994). The Casamance is reportedly home to several ethnic groups including the Mandika, Soninke, Serer, Wolof, Fulbe and Diola, who represent 60 per cent of the 800,000 inhabitants of Casamance (ibid.). A 5 May 1993 Reuters report states that the MDFC is composed of animists and Christians from the Diola ethnic group.

According to a 22 August 1997 La Presse article, the MDFC launched a military campaign for an independent Casamance in 1982. According to a 20 February 1992 Agence France Presse report, the Senegalese government and the MFDC signed an cease-fire agreement on 31 May 1991 at Bissau reportedly in preparation for Pope Jean Paul II's visit. A 7 August Reuters report states that separatist violence escalated in Casamance province forcing the government to send troops which had been withdrawn following the May 1991 cease-fire agreement. A 14 December 1992 report by the same source claims that the MFDC is backed by the government of Guinea-Bissau.

According to the Fourth World Center for the Study of Indigenous Law and Politics, the MFDC reportedly divided into two factions in August 1992:

Front Sud (Southern Front), led by Abbe Diamocoune [Senghor, a Roman Catholic priest turned guerrilla commander], became primarily a Diola organization fighting for secession and full independence; Front Nord (Northern Front), led by Sidy Badji, formed as an alliance of several peoples (Diola and non-Diola who were willing to settle for something less than independence and to negotiate under the terms of the 1991 agreement (12 Mar. 1994, 5).

According to a 20 April 1993 Agence France Presse report, the fighting between the Senegalese government and the forces of the MDFC resulted in the death of 500 people and produced approximately 25,000 refugees: 10,000 in Senegal and 15,000 in Guinea Bissau respectively. A 22 August 1997 La Presse report indicates that fighting has again broken out in Casamance between the MDFC and the government. For additional information on the MDFC please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 April 1993. Bernard DeGionni. "Les réfugiés sénégalais ne veulent pas retourner en Casamance." (NEXIS)

_____. 20 February 1992. "Sénégal: le pape chez les Diolas independantistes." (NEXIS)

Fourth World Center for the Study of Indigenous Law and Politics [Denver]. 12 March 1994. Lori Hartmann. "Indigenous Rebellion in the Casamance Province of Sénégal." (NEXIS)

La Presse [Montreal]. 22 août 1997. "Senegal: repris des combats en Casamance." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 5 May 1993. BC Cycle. "Rebels Kill Two in Sénégal's Casamance Province." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 December 1992. Diadie Ba. "Senegal Army Shells Rebels Inside Guinea-Bissau." (NEXUS)

_____. 7 August 1992. Pap Sane. "Separatist Conflict Escalates in Southern Senegal." (NEXUS)

Afire Contemporaine. October-December 1991. Joseph Rogerde Benoit. No. 160. "Pour une solution définitive du conflit en Casamance," pp. 27-39.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 April 1993. Bernard DeGionni. "Les réfugiés sénégalais ne veulent pas retourner en Casamance." (NEXIS)

_____. 20 February 1992. "Sénégal: le pape chez les Diolas independantistes." (NEXIS)

Fourth World Center for the Study of Indigenous Law and Politics [Denver]. 12 March 1994. Lori Hartmann. "Indigenous Rebellion in the Casamance Province of Sénégal." (NEXIS)

La Presse [Montreal]. 22 août 1997. "Senegal: repris des combats en Casamance." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 5 May 1993. BC Cycle. "Rebels Kill Two in Sénégal's Casamance Province." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 December 1992. Diadie Ba. "Senegal Army Shells Rebels Inside Guinea-Bissau." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 August 1992. Pap Saine. "Separatist Conflict Escalates in Southern Senegal." (NEXIS)