[Spécial Indépendance] Profil : Du champ de bataille à la diplomatie, qui est le Général Souleymane Kandé ?
From the reconquest of Casamance to the hushed corridors of diplomacy in New Delhi, Brigadier General Souleymane Kandé remains one of the most closely watched figures in the Senegalese army. A portrait of an exceptional soldier whose destiny was transformed by the new political transition.
If Senegal is currently enjoying a lasting lull in the Casamance conflict, it owes this largely to the Kandé doctrine. Appointed head of military zone no. 5 (Ziguinchor) in 2019, this paratrooper officer did not simply manage the status quo.
In January 2021, Souleymane Kandé broke with decades of military caution by launching an operation to secure the forest areas where the men of Salif Sadio, César Atoute Badiate, and Vieux Hendrix Diédhiou had been involved in various trafficking and criminal activities. Under his command, the MFDC's strongholds (Sikoune, Badiong, Bamoune-Bilass), considered impregnable for forty years, fell in a matter of weeks.
Methodically, he succeeded in destroying fields of Indian hemp and rebel bases. Following this feat, the displaced civilian populations resettled, transforming the military success into a social victory.
A meteoric rise brought to an abrupt halt
His outstanding performance in the field earned him a record promotion. In October 2022, he became Chief of Staff of the Army (CEMAT), while retaining command of Special Operations. At 51, he was then the face of the fight against asymmetric threats and terrorism at the borders.
However, the political transition of 2024 marked a sharp turning point. In May of that year, a decree by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed him from his post. His replacement by General Magatte Ndiaye and his assignment as defense and security attaché to New Delhi sent shockwaves through Senegal.
Diplomatic exile: sanction or mission?
The appointment of the man who fought against the Casamance rebels as military attaché to the Senegalese embassy in India has sparked a national debate. Many observers believe that sending a general of his stature to a post traditionally held by colonels resembles a "disguised punishment" or an attempt to remove an officer deemed too close to the former regime. A national daily newspaper even noted that, according to the general's entourage, this posting was perceived as a humiliation that "bordered on a punishment," which, in his case, "was entirely unjustified."
According to several sources, General Kandé had considered challenging this decree before the Supreme Court, a highly unusual move within the military. Ultimately, after nine months, he officially took up his post in India on March 1, 2025, confirming his sense of duty despite his apparent bitterness.
An indelible legacy
Despite this geographical distance, Souleymane Kandé's influence remains strong. In June 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him the rank of Officer of the Legion of Honour, a distinction that underscores his international renown.
Whether he's a forestry strategist or a diplomat in Asia, Souleymane Kandé embodies a rigor that commands respect. For the people of Casamance, he remains "the man who returned the land to the farmers," a title that will always carry more weight than any administrative appointment.
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