Dakar, Senegal – A Senegalese soldier was killed and six others wounded during military operations targeting cannabis cultivation in the Casamance region, near the border with The Gambia, the Senegalese army reported on Thursday.
The armed forces said the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Kadialock area, where troops confronted a group of armed individuals linked to illicit activities. “An initial report indicates one soldier was killed and six others injured,” the military stated, adding that some of the attackers were also killed in the clash.
The army affirmed that operations are ongoing to combat cannabis cultivation, pursue armed groups, and secure local populations and their property.
Casamance, the southernmost region of Senegal, is geographically separated from the rest of the country by The Gambia and is known for its distinct culture and language, a legacy of its Portuguese colonial past.
Authorities have long accused rebels in Casamance of engaging in illegal cannabis and timber trade and using neighboring countries such as The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as safe havens.
The region has experienced one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, dating back to December 1982, when separatists took up arms following protests. While the violence has significantly decreased in recent years, the conflict has claimed thousands of lives and devastated the local economy.
In February 2026, Senegalese authorities and separatist groups signed a peace agreement after their first public talks since the current government took office last March, signaling a potential turning point in Casamance’s long-standing unrest.
The latest incident underscores ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly regarding illicit trade and armed groups.
