On Saturday February 23rd 2013, forty two young leaders coming from all the area attended a seminar in Matam (area located at the north of the country), in the Hotel Residence du Fleuve. The objective of this seminar was to raise awareness and to create a regional branch for the National Network of Young People For Peace in Casamance (called RENAPEC).
Renapec is a network created by Young Catholic Students of Senegal with the support of Governance and Peace Program (USAID/PGP-Senegal) whose objective is to mobilize young people in all the areas of Senegal for the final return to peace in Casamance. Casamance is located at the south of Senegal and since the 26th of December 1982 there is a rebellion called Democratic Movement of the Forces of Casamance (called MFDC) which claims the independence of the region. The natural area of Casamanse includes today the administrative areas of Ziguinchor, Kolda and S�dhiou.
In spite of three decades of fratricidal violences with disastrous effects on the populations and the national economy, the national opinion is not feeling very concerned on this situation. Then, to raise awareness, YCS decides to launch the National Network of Young People for Peace in Casamance to create a positive pressure on the actors and to incite them to start the talks for the final return of peace in Casamance. YCS is supported in this challenge by Future Communication Group, editor of the newspaper " Le Quotidien" and SSPP "Le Soleil", editor of the national daily newspaper "Le Soleil" and are part of the communication organization of the project.
What did we SEE?
The first question that we asked was to know why the Senegalese diplomacy who contributed to solve so many conflicts in Africa and in the world, does not manage to regulate a conflict which is taking place on its own land. The internal process of reflexion of YCS, after the decision of creating RENAPEC, was to call upon all the youth forces of our country.
How did we JUDGE it?
Indeed, the other strong question was to know, if Christ were there, what would have he done in a similar situation? The answer was that he would have invited everyone to commit themselves as he asked the Apostles to go throughout the world and announce the Good News to all the people.
How We ACTED....
Consequently, it was necessary to assume our Christian faith and to implement this teaching, and this implies not to make any distinction of race nor religion in this national challenge. And this is how R�napec in Matam chose Isma Alpha BA as the Regional Coordinator, a young Muslim from peulh ethnic group.
The creation of the Network was made a reality by the adoption of a Motion to the State of Senegal to ask for a vast investment plan in Casamance. The goal is to create a debate among the associative young people network of the area of Saint-Louis and to create a national pressure to lead the MFDC to re-examine its position. On this subject, a vast public awareness campaign is being done in Saint-Louis. At national level, other actors engaged in the process of peace are discussing with MFDC so that it re-examines its position.
See Jec Senegal in Action (Video)
