The Movement of Democratic Forces of the Casamance (MFDC) has welcomed the move by new Senegalese President, Macky Sall to involve The Gambia in a bid to find a lasting solution to the 30-year conflict.

It is the conviction of the MFDC that both sides of the conflict should endeavour to negotiate and reach a common understanding that would bring an end to the hostilities which began in 1982 when separatists in Senegal’s southern province demanded independence from the rest of the country.

“I commend President Macky Sall for his decision to involve his Gambian counterpart, Yahya Jammeh in negotiations to bring the hostilities to an end. The implications of the Casamance crisis go beyond the Senegalese border. Neighbouring countries have a crucial role to play to build up reconciliation between the belligerents” Pape Goudiaby, a member of the MFDC contact group told APA in a telephone interview.

“The MFDC is expecting concrete actions from the new authorities in Dakar to put the negotiations back on track and convince belligerents to lay down their arms” he added.

The Senegalese head of state made his first official trip abroad to The Gambia on Sunday and spent a few hours meeting President Jammeh. This was in fulfillment of an election pledge he made ahead of Senegal’s presidential run-off. Meanwhile, Atika, the MFDC hardliners have not reacted to Sall’s official visit to neighbouring Gambia and the resolutions that emanated from the meeting.