On the borders of Casamance and Guinea-Bissau, tensions linked to cattle rustling and timber trafficking continue to weigh heavily on the daily lives of communities. Resilient, the local population is increasing its initiatives for dialogue and cooperation to preserve peace and strengthen social cohesion on both sides of the border.

In Lala, Guinea-Bissau, the president of ASC Yabone, Saliou Diallo, gave a powerful testimony to this mobilization: “We are very satisfied with what we are doing. I thank my young people who came out in droves. Here, cattle rustling will not stand a chance. Women and children are rising up to find solutions. We have regained our foothold and we will continue to defend our villages.” These words reflect the determination of the people not to let insecurity undermine their future.

The meeting was also marked by the presence of veterans, respected figures and guardians of national memory. Their regional president, Warrant Officer Alpha Dia, emphasized the shared responsibility between the State and veterans' associations: "The State cannot do everything. The rest is up to the associations to take care of. We, the veterans, believe we can be useful in strengthening ties and bringing peace and cohesion."

Beyond their historical role, the veterans intend to be active participants in the present, carrying a message of vigilance and solidarity. "Without peace, border communities cannot live properly. They are forced to live in symbiosis to make life work," one of them reminded everyone, emphasizing that peaceful coexistence is a vital necessity for the villages on both sides of the border.

This twinning between Yabon (Boutoupa Camaracounda in Senegal) and Lala illustrates a shared desire: to build bridges rather than walls. Exchanges, dialogue, and community mobilization become peaceful weapons against insecurity.

In these sensitive areas, peace is not a fixed legacy: it is a shared responsibility, borne by the inhabitants, associations and veterans who remind us that cohesion is the primary condition for development.