[citation needed] Born on April 4, 1928, Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor would go on to be an influential person in the Casamance conflict.
Father Diamacoune was recognized as a leading figure in the movement for Casamance independence, and in 1984, after a series of protests in Ziguinchor, he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years for violating territorial integrity (Ag Mohamed and Humphreys, 2005).
Diamacoune went on to serve a total of 5 years in prison between 1984-1991, but was released on May 31, 1991, after Sidi Badji signed a ceasefire agreement with Senegalese Defence Minister Medoune (Fall, 2010).
However, after an escalation in the Casamance conflict, due in part to the MFDC's acquisition of more advanced weapons, Diamacoune was placed under house arrest on April 21, 1995.
A year later, in September 1996, Father Diamacoune successfully reunited the front nord through rapprochement with Sidy Badji.
After the meeting, President Diouf addressed the Casamance people and urged them to forgive the Senegalese government, and to think about reconciliation (Fall, 2010).
In September 2001, for the first time since the beginning of the conflict, the leader of the MFDC was invited to meet the Senegalese president in his palace.
Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor died on January 13, 2007, in Val-de-Grâce Military Hospital, Paris, France.