Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance
Encyclopedia
The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (French
: Mouvement des forces démocratiques de Casamance, MFDC) is the main separatist
movement in the Casamance
region of Senegal
, founded in 1982. It was supported by Guinea-Bissau
President João Bernardo Vieira
until he was overthrown in 1999. It relies mainly on the Diola ethnic group. Its armed wing was formed in 1985 and is called Atika (Diola for "Warrior").
Its leader was Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor
, who died on 13 January 2007. Senghor signed a peace agreement with the government of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade
in 2004. However, several factions of the MFDC refused to participate in the peace deal and continued their fighting. This division has deeply divided Casamance's independence movement.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Mouvement des forces démocratiques de Casamance, MFDC) is the main separatist
Separatism
Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy...
movement in the Casamance
Casamance
Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. It consists of Basse Casamance and Haute Casamance...
region of Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
, founded in 1982. It was supported by Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
President João Bernardo Vieira
João Bernardo Vieira
João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira was the President of Guinea-Bissau from 1980 to 1999 and again from 2005 to 2009. After seizing power in 1980, Vieira ruled for 19 years, and he won a multiparty presidential election in 1994. He was ousted at the end of the 1998–1999 civil war and went into exile...
until he was overthrown in 1999. It relies mainly on the Diola ethnic group. Its armed wing was formed in 1985 and is called Atika (Diola for "Warrior").
Its leader was Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor
Augustin Diamacoune Senghor
Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor ....
, who died on 13 January 2007. Senghor signed a peace agreement with the government of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade
Abdoulaye Wade
Abdoulaye Wade is the third and current President of Senegal, in office since 2000. He is also the Secretary-General of the Senegalese Democratic Party and has led the party since it was founded in 1974...
in 2004. However, several factions of the MFDC refused to participate in the peace deal and continued their fighting. This division has deeply divided Casamance's independence movement.