Newspapers Raided, Staff Assaulted Following Threats By Official - The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that a government vehicle was used to ransack the offices of two Senegalese independent newspapers on Sunday. The attacks came just three days after a top official threatened unspecified retaliation against the papers over critical stories. [AA Network - Senegal]

World Bank Contractor Sanctioned for Fraudulent Practices - The World Bank today announced that it has debarred Générale de l'Ingénierie des Travaux et de l'Equipement (GENITE), a firm based in Senegal, and Mr. Aliou Niang, a Senegalese national and sole owner of GENITE, for fraudulent practices by GENITE in relation to two Bank-financed projects in Senegal. [AA Network - Senegal]

Casamance Heavily Dependent On Slowly Rising Tourism Income - Tourists are once again heading to Casamance as visitor areas are perceived to be safe from the troubles, but some industry experts worry that the numbers could plummet again with the recent upsurge in violence, seriously jeopardising the region's economy. [AA Network - Senegal]

Lack of Peace Accord Hampers Demining in Casamance - After years of delays linked to instability in strife-torn Casamance, the government finally launched a landmine clearance programme in the region in February 2008, but lack of adherence to the 2004 peace accord is hampering progress. [AA Network - Senegal]

Cassamance Displaced Fear Return - Stéphanie Malak was injured by a landmine in 1998 when her village, was attacked, allegedly by rebels from the Movement for Democratic Change (MFDC), and then mined. She fled with her family to Ziguinchor where she is trying to make ends meet. She told IRIN her story. [AA Network - Senegal]

Villagers Mutilated By Armed Men in Casamance - Armed men claiming to represent the rebel group Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) attacked twenty villagers from Tampe 15 km east of the regional capital Ziguinchor on 7 May and hacked each of their left ears with machetes, according to the victims and the Senegalese army. [AA Network - Senegal]

Villagers Mutilated By Armed Men in Casamance - Armed men claiming to represent the rebel group Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) attacked twenty villagers from Tampe 15 km east of the regional capital Ziguinchor on 7 May and hacked each of their left ears with machetes, according to the victims and the Senegalese army. [AA Network - Senegal]

Landmines Claim New Victims in Casamance - One man was killed and 20 passengers injured when a bus drove over a landmine near the village of Lefeu, 70km north of the Casamance capital Ziguinchor on 1 May police said. [AA Network - Senegal]