Senegalese Separatists Release Captured Soldiers

By Tolulope Dolapo Thomas

Published: February 15, 2022 | 9:14 AM GMT

Separatist rebels in Senegal’s southern Casamance region have released seven soldiers who they captured last month.

The soldiers were captured on January 24 during a clash with the MFDC separatists, in which four other soldiers were killed.

They were handed over to a representative of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS in The Gambia on Monday, according to a statement by the Senegalese army.

The Senegalese army said that “the soldiers appeared to be in good health.

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The troops had been part of ECOWAS peacekeeping mission deployed in The Gambia for the past five years.

The Senegalese army said “they had been captured in the Gambia denying allegations that they were seized by the rebels after crossing to Casamance to pursue the separatists.

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The Casamance region, which has a distinct culture and language, has been at the center of a ‘long-running conflict.

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It is separated geographically from the rest of Senegal by the Gambia River.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere

Senegalese Separatists Release Captured Soldiers

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About Tolulope Dolapo Thomas

Tolulope Dolapo Thomas, BSc, is a Public Health Educator and Broadcast Journalist with extensive experience in radio and television. She specializes in Health Promotion, Sexual and Reproductive/Fertility Health, and Environmental Health. Certified in CPR and First Aid, Tolulope is passionate about empowering women through evidence-based public health education, fertility awareness, and community sensitization. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Public Health and is the founder of Everywoman Health by TD, a women-focused health platform dedicated to providing accurate, accessible, and trustworthy guidance for women at every stage of life.