Casamance, which experienced a dark history due to the armed conflict that began at the dawn of the 1980s, has practically regained its serenity. On the other hand, the populations of North Sindian face another equation: the discovery of “remnants of war explosives”. Abandoned munitions that can cost them their lives.
In the Bignona department, there are tracks that are still not passable because of mines. These are the Oulampane-Bambatouma, Welkalire-Dialankine, Dioundeung-Kougnouhor axis, etc. Some lands in the aforementioned localities, it is said, are not completely cleared of mines and other explosive devices, including grenades, bombs and rockets. These munitions abandoned after the armed conflict can be fatal to a person. In the past, the Sindian-Tandine road has experienced mine accidents. In the village of Djibidionne, capital of the commune. For example, there are areas that are still on the red list. “Bajeenu gox” (neighborhood godmother) and woman leader in the commune of Oulampane, Fatou Diatta calls on all the populations of North Sindian to redouble their vigilance. She asks them to be more careful. “We were told that a mine is never alone. She can move underground. North Sindian citizens should be very careful. In some villages, women do not even dare to go to the fields. It’s not safe because there are always the presence of mines. We no longer want explosive devices on our land,” she declared during an awareness session for the populations of the Sindian district heavily affected by the armed conflict in Casamance.
Continuing, the “Bajeenu gox” of the commune of Oulampane remembers a story which seems innocuous, but which reflects the danger. She says she had this experience during her travels along the border strip. “I once went to deep Sindian, on the border between Senegal and Gambia, as part of a supervision. That day, an elderly man had collected remnants of war explosives without even knowing that it was dangerous for him. This is to tell you that the danger is still there,” she says. In addition to the case of this elderly person, Fatou Diatta experienced another story in the same area. This time, it was young boys who had to deal with death. “These children had picked up remnants of explosives in the bush. They intended to sell them. One day, we detected a mine buried in the ground in one of the villages in the commune of Oulampane. It’s true that there is a lull, but the residents live in fear,” regrets Fatou Diatta, the municipal “Bajeenu gox”. Former deputy of the 14th legislature, Demba Keïta invites the village chiefs of the Sindia district “to represent the populations with dignity and to do everything possible to create mutual trust by sharing as much information as possible with the sub-prefects, the prefect, the governor and the defense and security forces. All this contributes to peace, stability and the development of this part of Casamance.
-Gaustin DIATTA (Correspondent)
Senegal
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