Senegalese soldier missing, another injured in ambush near Mongone

According to Captain Ibrahima Sow, Director of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (DIRPA), the operation was part of a larger military response initiated by Zone 5 command, with troops from the 22nd BRA, to track down the perpetrators of the April 13 attacks.

“During the course of the operation, a military detachment was taken to task by an armed group,” Captain Sow confirmed in an official press release. He reported one soldier injured and another unaccounted for. “All the necessary means are being deployed to locate the missing soldier,” the statement added, noting that operations are ongoing to secure the population and their property.

The military operation that led to the ambush was part of an effort to restore calm in Djignaki, where local residents reported attacks by unidentified armed men over the weekend. These attacks have reportedly instilled fear among villagers, many of whom rely on farming and cross-border trade for their livelihoods.

A Region Long Plagued by Rebellion

The confrontation highlights the enduring security challenges in Casamance, a southern region of Senegal that has been the site of one of Africa’s longest-running separatist conflicts. For more than four decades, rebel factions of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) have waged an intermittent armed struggle for independence from the Senegalese state.

Though peace efforts in recent years have reduced the frequency of clashes, pockets of MFDC fighters still maintain a presence, particularly in the dense forests and rural communities near the Gambian and Guinea-Bissau borders. These areas, including Bignona and its surroundings, remain volatile and are often affected by criminal activity attributed to rogue armed elements and splinter groups operating under the guise of rebellion.

Security sources have not officially linked the latest ambush to the MFDC. However, analysts suggest that the terrain and tactics employed — including hit-and-run attacks and ambushes — are consistent with those historically used by rebel fighters in the region.

The Senegalese army has pledged to continue its operations in the area until the attackers are neutralized and the region is stabilized.

As of Thursday morning, the search for the missing soldier continues. Authorities are urging residents in the area to cooperate with the security forces and report any suspicious activity.

The government has not disclosed the identity of the missing or injured soldiers, nor has it confirmed whether additional reinforcements will be deployed in the coming days.

Growing Concerns Over Armed Activity

The incident comes amid renewed concerns over the re-emergence of organized armed groups in Casamance. While some MFDC factions have signed ceasefires or disarmed in recent years, others remain active and resistant to integration into the national peace process. Reports of banditry, arms trafficking, and landmine-related accidents persist, complicating efforts at long-term development and reconciliation.

Observers warn that unless a comprehensive peace agreement is fully implemented and accompanied by meaningful local investment, sporadic violence and instability could continue to plague the region. (Source Gambia Journal)