Programme description

Title: Programme to Promote Economic and Social Development and Peace in Casamance
Financier: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
Country: Senegal
Lead executing agency: Ministère de l'Agriculture
Overall term: 2004 to 2015

Context

Despite its wealth of natural resources, the Casamance – once known as the “rice basket” of Senegal – remains one of the country’s poorest regions. For almost 30 years an independence movement engaged in conflict – at times violent – with central government. To date over 800,000 people have been directly or indirectly affected by the conflict. The infrastructure is falling into disrepair; economic exchange is blocked.

The war-weary population has made express demands for a return to normality. Although the local populace is making appropriate efforts in this regard, it lacks adequate skills and structures to make a sustainable contribution to either the peace process or the process of social and economic reconstruction in Casamance.

In late 2004, the Government and the rebels signed a peace agreement. The Senegalese Government now steers the political peace process, and with the support of the World Bank has created the PRAESC reconstruction programme (Programme de Relance des Activités Economiques et Sociales en Casamance), which is supported by international organizations such as GIZ.

Objective

Conditions are created in Casamance for peace and sustainable development in the region. There is also greater participation by the population in measures to reduce conflict and stabilise economic and social conditions.

Approach

The advisory strategy of the GIZ is based on a holistic approach that combines promotion of social dialogue with socioeconomic support.

GIZ promotes local peace initiatives and measures to reintegrate returnees. Methods of negotiation between the population, rebels and government are developed that establish the conditions for a peaceful coexistence at the local level. Skills training in conflict management, mediation, analysis and negotiating is provided with a view to improving the effectiveness of service and mediation organisations.

The programme works closely with the KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW development bank) to provide support in reconstructing the social and economic infrastructure, as well as for agricultural production and other sources of income.

GIZ promotes a relationship of trust between the state and the population. It supports the state programme of reconstruction, PRAESC, and advises the relevant national agency for economic and social reconstruction, Agence Nationale de Relance des Activités en Casamance (ANRAC). It also promotes cooperation between local development actors and sensitises other donor organisations with regard to the participation of the population in this process. The programme component ‘Local economic development’ is being implemented by the consulting firm GOPA/AFC.

Results achieved so far

Despite occasional political setbacks, the growing number of peace initiatives on the part of the population has secured a certain stability. GIZ has worked with local populations in almost all Casamance communities to implement mechanisms and structures for dealing with conflict. Such initiatives have in many cases prevented the escalation of violence.

Of the more than 50,000 refugees and displaced persons, over 60 percent have since returned, a situation facilitated by the construction of schools and healthcare facilities. The introduction of small-scale dams and carefully selected seeds have, respectively, improved pastureland for livestock and the rice yield.

GIZ has raised awareness among political decision-makers and employees in state institutions for the specific crisis and conflict situations in the Casamance region. Many state and private organisations have already adopted conflict-reducing methods.

Downloads

• Moderator für den Frieden
  Die Region Casamance im Senegal erlebt einen der längsten bewaffneten Konflikte in Afrika.
  Autor: Urs Fitze, erschienen im GTZ-Magazin Akzente, Ausgabe 3/2006
  (in German language)
  Download (183 KB), 0 MB
• Zwischen den Fronten
  Die Begleitung des Rückkehrprozesses in der Casamance
  Autorin : Micheala Ludwig, erschienen im GTZ-Magazin Akzente, Ausgabe 3/2009
  (in German language)
  Download (160 KB), 0 MB

Further information

• Programme website
  www.procas.sn
• Programme photos
  /www.flickr.com/photos/afrika-fotos/.....
• Senegal web page of the KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW development bank)
  www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/...