General Peace Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and Le Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC) (Ziguinchor Agreement)

• Country/entity

  Senegal
  Casamance
  
• Region

  Africa (excl MENA)
  Africa (excl MENA)
  
• Agreement name

  General Peace Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and Le Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC) (Ziguinchor Agreement)
• Date

  30 Dec 2004
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Senegal-Casamance Conflict (1982 - ) )
• Stage

  Framework/substantive - partial
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Casamance process
• Parties

  For the MFDC: Abbot Augustin Diamacoune SENGHOR
  For the Republic of Senegal: Master Ousmane NGOM, Minister of Interior Department
  Initialed by the President of the Republic Mr. S.E Master Abdoulaye Wade
• Third parties

  -
• Description

  This short framework agreement between the Government of Senegal and the MFDC covers a range of issues including DDR for MFDC combatants, and the depollution, demining and reconstruction of Casamance.

• Agreement document

  SE_041230_ZiguinchorAgreement_tr.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Ziguinchor Peace Agreement Between Government of Senegal and MFDC

(30 December 2004)

General Peace Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and Le Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC)

Preamble

The Government of the Republic of Senegal (referred to here as ‘the State’) and the Movement of the Democratic forces of Casamance (referred to here as ‘the MFDC’), both are referred to here as ‘the Parties’, in the presence of ambassadors from friendly States, representatives of regional, international, humanitarian and non-governmental organisations.

Conscious of the disastrous effects caused by more than twenty years of conflict and combat in Casamance, in particular the economic decline of the region, the suffering of the people along with the risks incurred due to the presence of anti-personnel mines;

Conscious of the reasons for the failure of the previous agreements and determined to consider these presently;

Convinced that a military solution to the conflict is worthless and that only a solemn commitment by the MFDC combatants backing Abbot Augustin Diamacoune Senghor can put an end to the hostilities;

Convinced of the need to establish a climate of trust between the head representatives and determined move forward after two decades of mistrust;

Reaffirming the pertinence of the frustrations felt by a section of the population of Casamance, and also the need for corrective action through the implementation of a development programme specific to this natural region;

Agree the following:

First Article:

PURPOSE OF THE PRESENT AGREEMENT

The law of amnesty having already come into effect, the State commits to ensure, in Casamance like everywhere else throughout the land, general safety and freedom of movement of people and goods, and to guarantee, in compliance with the Constitution, the exercise of fundamental freedoms, in particular those of thought and expression in order to promote political dialogue in the natural region of Casamance.

The MFDC solemnly decide to definitively renounce armed conflict and the use of violence in conducting the political struggle which they believe they should guide.

Article 2:

GUARANTEE AND CONSOLIDATION OF THE AGREEMENT

In order to monitor the peace process and to peacefully resolve the potential disputes which may occur, a Peace Agreement Supervisory Council (C.S.A.P.) composed of representatives of the State, MFDC, civil society and any other relevant organisation, shall be created.

Only the interpretation of the provisions of the Peace agreement and the additional protocols, other than penal offences and litigations which are patently civil, fall within the competence of the Council.

It will seize the initiative itself in order to prevent difficulties and can, in this manner, be called upon by any person or structure involved in the peace process and the reconstruction of Casamance.

The Parties commit to establish a monitoring group comprised of Government representatives, soldiers, MFDC ex-combatants and representatives of the political wing of the MFDC.

The group will be responsible for implementing the demobilization process for the military wing of the MFDC and the storage of their weapons under control of the ICRC, the RADDHO and the AJAC.

The MFDC commits to confine, disarm and demobilize its military component according to the procedures defined by the National agency for the Revival of Economic and social activities in Casamance (ANRAC).

The Parties will provide ANRAC with any information which is likely to facilitate the region’s depollution programme.

Within this framework, the general modes of participation of each of the Parties in this specific section of the reconstruction appear in the Protocol agreement on the technical aspects of the peace process.

The Parties commit to immediately appoint delegates to the Conciliation committee which is tasked with starting direct negotiations without delay.

The MFDC may be assisted by any relevant person whom they consider to be useful and necessary.

Article 3:

REINTEGRATION OF WAR VETERANS

The State of Senegal accepts, exceptionally, to integrate the MFDC ex-combatants into the paramilitary bodies, in accordance with the principle of voluntary service and the conditions in force.

The Parties accept the principle of organizing, with the assistance of ANRAC, the necessary training to help the MFDC ex-combatants who wish to be financed for income-generation projects, in the sectors which interest them.

The Parties engage the Community of Casamance Leaders, the Casamance customary and religious notabilities, to foster a culture of forgiveness and reconciliation allowing the return and the reintegration of the MFDC ex-combatants in their villages of origin.

Article 4:

REVIVAL OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The State urges the ANRAC to mobilize NGOs and Specialist companies in depollution, in partnership with the Army and the MFDC ex-combatants, to begin without delay the humanitarian demining of Casamance in order to facilitate the resumption of the economic activities.

The State commits to take all permissible measures to facilitate the return of the refugees and displaced persons to their homes and to provide the support necessary to their social reinsertion.

The State commits to ensure the reconstruction of Casamance as envisaged in the Agreement Protocol on the technical aspects of the peace process.

Article 5:

FINAL PROVISIONS

This Agreement will enter into force on the date of its signature.

In witness whereof, the Parties signed it in two original copies.

Done at Ziguinchor, thirtieth December two thousand and four.

For the MFDC:

Abbot Augustin Diamacoune SENGHOR

For the Republic of Senegal:

Master Ousmane NGOM, Minister of Interior Department

Initialed by the President of the Republic Mr. S.E Master Abdoulaye Wade