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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 26308, member: 2262"] The people of Senegal made a big step toward peace. The government of Senegal talked with a group called the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance. They signed a paper saying they wanted to stop fighting, which has gone on for more than 40 years! Casamance is a special part of Senegal. It sits below a tiny country called Gambia. The land there grows lots of food. People from Casamance felt the main government did not help them. They wanted to run their area by themselves. Back in 1982, people from Casamance marched to ask for help. The march turned into a fight. After that, many people grabbed guns and hid in the woods. They made a group led by a priest named Father Augustin. Since then, many people have died because of the fighting. Over the years, the fighting spread to nearby countries. The countries of Gambia and Guinea Bissau both got pulled into the trouble. At times, soldiers from Senegal crossed into Gambia looking for fighters. The leader of Guinea Bissau, President Embalo, helped the two sides talk to each other. He said, "We cannot take Senegal's safety lightly. If they have problems, we will have problems." The new Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, signed the peace paper. He comes from Casamance himself. Before he became Prime Minister, he was the mayor of the biggest city there. Mr. Sonko said this agreement was "a very big step toward peace in Casamance." The peace plan wants to stop all fighting. It will help the fighters give up their guns and return to normal life. Both sides promise to keep the promises they made before. Mr. Sonko said peace in Senegal helps everyone in that part of Africa. [/QUOTE]

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