Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance

Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance
Mouvement des forces démocratiques de Casamance
LeadersAugustin Diamacoune Senghor
(1982–07)
Salif Sadio
(2007–14)
Caesar Badiatte
(1982–14)
Mamadou Niantang Diatta
(1982–14)
Dates of operation1982–present
Active regionsCasamance, Guinea-Bissau, the Gambia
Ideology
Battles and warsCasamance conflict
Guinea-Bissau Civil War
ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia
Photo of MFDC fighters

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 Jola people. Its armed wing was formed in 1985 and is called Atika (Diola for "the combatant").

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.

  1. ^ Minahan (2002), p. 396.