Senegal releases 30 detained at MFDC Casamance headquarters
Authorities freed 30 individuals arrested during the Tuesday dismantling of the MFDC political wing's base in Ziguinchor.
30 people arrested during the Tuesday dismantling of the political wing's headquarters of the Movement of the Forces of Casamance (MFDC) in Ziguinchor, southern Senegal, have been released. The security source confirmed the releases on Thursday to AFP. The headquarters, located on the outskirts of Ziguinchor, was the base for the MFDC's independence struggle in Casamance, which began in December 1982.
Gendarmes dismantled the site on Tuesday and detained 30 occupants, according to a security source. The last detainees were freed on Wednesday following instructions from the Ziguinchor public prosecutor. A source close to the MFDC stated that two individuals remained in custody, and reported 33 arrests on Tuesday. Local media also reported the seizure of MFDC flags and mobile phones.
Images showed gendarmes erasing MFDC inscriptions from walls and seizing documents, sound equipment, and chairs. A gendarmerie officer told local media that seized documents are being analyzed for useful information. The operation occurred on the anniversary of the October 27, 2019, death of rebel figure Abdou Elinkine Diatta.
Why it matters30 individuals arrested during a security operation in Ziguinchor have been released.