Humanity in Civil Conflicts: Understanding the Casamance Conflict
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The devastating effects of the civil conflict within the Casamance region of Senegal have left many displaced and seeking accountability, drawing attention to the African Union's Kampala Convention. The Kampala Convention was created over a decade ago by the African Union and provided an unprecedented framework given its increasing accountability while also focusing on improving conditions for Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). Despite this, the International Committee of the Red Cross released a review of the effectiveness of the Kampala Convention and found the need for increased assistance for IDPs to meet short and long-term needs. The review found that many international organizations replaced the state’s role in providing aid to IDPs rather than complementing the state’s actions.
Despite the implementation of the Kampala Convention, after 40 years of continued conflicts, a former resident of the Casamance region described his feelings after forcefully leaving his home, explaining to a reporter that “life no longer has meaning.” This is a commonly shared sentiment among the 150,000 people who have been displaced from their homes because of the Casamance civil conflict.
The Casamance civil conflict began in 1982 when there was a call for independence by the political wing of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MDFC) given the cultural and social differences between the Casamance and the Northern regions of Senegal. While a majority of the population in Senegal identifies as Muslim, in Casamance, there is a larger Christian population, demonstrating one of the many differences between the two regions that play a significant role in establishing the foundation for this civil conflict. In addition to these political and social differences, the MDFC credited the differences in Senegal and Casamance’s colonial history as an additional factor in calling for independence. As the MDFC emerged and launched a military campaign to move towards independence, conflict broke out between the MDFC and Senegalese military forces and the ethnic and cultural differences continued to grow between the two regions.
In 2022, a branch of the MDFC agreed to sign a peace agreement with the government of Senegal, establishing peace with the factions of the MDFC rebel groups operating in Casamance. However, the fighting has devastated local communities due to the economic and infrastructure disrepair those who wished to return were sure to face. The decades of violence not only took the homes of locals but also the possibility of rebuilding as conflict still occurs with other factions of the MDFC.
The few locals who have returned to their homes in Casamance have faced the threat of landmines which have also destroyed farming land and food supply. The risks of returning have resulted in many locals being categorized as IDPs but do not receive enough support from the African Union or other international organizations in the process of rebuilding their lives in new countries like Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. These two countries have provided regional support for the IDPs with thousands finding refuge in Gambian villages after crossing the border within the last year.
However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) found that international organizations were the primary groups to intervene and provide medical aid to Casamance residents staying in host villages. While the support of international organizations is beneficial in providing immediate relief to displaced people, it is not sustainable long term. Without long-term economic relief or support, these displaced communities feel a lost sense of security without support and assistance from the African Union. Though the UNHCR plays an important role in supporting the communities in Casamance, ensuring the efficient implementation of the Kampala Convention would address the lack of support from the African Union, which limits these displaced communities as they do not have access to long-term economic relief or support.
Efficiently implementing the provisions of the Kampala Convention that focus on establishing immediate solutions for communities impacted by civil conflict is only the first step the African Union must take to support Casamance natives. The African Union must place a larger focus on developing effective policies for IDPs, not only providing them with initial support in their internal relocation but also considering the long-term economic assistance and resources necessary for integration. In addition to partnering with local organizations, it is necessary that the African Union focuses on building the Kampala Convention to implement more short-term solutions that can provide immediate support to displaced communities.
As the civil conflicts in the Casamance region continue to displace locals, it is vital for the African Union to improve the implementation of the Kampala Convention in order to ensure the safety of those who have lost their homes to conflict that is out of their control.
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