A leader of the separatist rebellion in Senegal's restive southern Casamance region has asked the African Union (AU) to organize a self-determination referendum in the territory.
In a letter to AU Commission chief Jean Ping, a copy of which was obtained by AFP Tuesday, Ansoumane Badji of the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) urged the pan-African bloc "to make all the necessary arrangements to organise and supervise a referendum for the region's self-determination."
"Common sense dictates that we find a peaceful solution by referendum to enable the people of Casamance to speak freely about their future."
An armed rebellion for independence has been under way in Casamance, separated from the rest of Senegal by Gambia, since 1982.
Sporadic outbreaks of violence persist despite a peace accord signed in 2004, and negotiations are hampered by the fact that the MFDC is split into different factions.
The referendum call comes amid rising tensions, with 12 soldiers killed since December 27.
With its famed stretches of white beaches and lush forests, tropical Casamance could be Senegal's richest agricultural and tourism area, but remains undeveloped due to the ongoing crisis.
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