Senegal: Armed robbery in Casamance region March 29

Event

At least one person died and two others were seriously injured by unidentified gunmen during a robbery in Bafikane, Casamance region, on Thursday, March 29. The gunmen reportedly stopped passing vehicles and robbed them, and fired upon vehicles that refused to stop. The victims were evacuated to the Regional Hospital in Ziguinchor.

Context

Armed groups are known to operate in the Casamance region. Senegalese forces have had an increased presence in the area since unidentified gunmen killed 14 people in the Bayotte forest on January 6. Although the Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de Casamance (MFDC), a separatist militant group that has fought for the independence of Casamance since 1982, is suspected of being behind the attacks, their involvement has not been confirmed.

Advice

Most Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the Casamance region (with the exception of zones around Oussouye and Cap Skirring, considered secure), as well as along the Malian and Mauritanian borders, due to security concerns.