In a nationwide address last month, Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade deplored the recent violence and vowed to pursue peace efforts with the MFDC.

VOA: standard.2009.10.05

The Senegalese air force last month bombed rebel bases near Ziguinchor, the regional capital of The Casamance, Senegal's southern district, after suspected MFDC fighters killed a soldier at an army outpost.

VOA: standard.2009.10.05

The Guinea-Bissau army was the main source of weapons and ammunition for the MFDC.

BBC: Senegalese soldiers

Mane was an ethnic Mandingo who did not have direct tribal links with the Jolas who made up the MFDC.

BBC: Senegalese soldiers

When the ferry was relaunched on 10 September, the two leaders of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces, the MFDC, were in Ziguinchor harbour to greet it.

BBC: Q&A: What caused the Joola ferry disaster?