Among the faces marked by the conflict in Casamance, that of Amy Sagna will remain one of the most powerful images of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's economic tour. A victim of a landmine 27 years ago, this mother of six took advantage of the Head of State's presence in Dar Salam to give a poignant testimony and request direct support for those forgotten by the crisis.

Since that fateful July 17, 1998, Amy Sagna's life has been forever changed. A native of the region, her life was shattered while she was trying to get her family to safety. Before the President of the Republic, she recounted the precise circumstances of her tragedy: "I was born here and I grew up here. It was during our escape, when we went to collect our luggage the day after our arrival here in Dar Salam, that I stepped on a landmine. It was precisely on July 17, 1998."

At the time, Amy Sagna was already caring for her six children, four girls and two boys. She carried her disability as a daily burden, struggling to provide for their education despite limited mobility and a lack of resources. Today, as the peace process accelerates, she expresses a fierce desire to return, a desire hampered by the extreme poverty of the victims.

“I have suffered from my disability ever since. Right now, I want to go home, but we, victims of mines, do not have the means to return to our villages or localities. This is my heartfelt plea, Mr. President. I am requesting your support for construction, because we are facing a glaring lack of resources,” she said emotionally.

Beyond her personal situation, Amy Sagna has become the spokesperson for all the civilian victims maimed by explosive devices. While commending the unprecedented step taken by the Head of the Executive, who went to the field to meet with the displaced and affected populations, she made a specific request: a formal audience.

"We would like an audience to allow us, the victims of mines, to meet you. This is our dearest wish," she concluded under the watchful gaze of Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

This direct testimony underlines the urgency of social and economic support that must accompany the technical demining of the land, so that peace in Casamance translates into a true restoration of dignity for those who have paid the heavy price of the conflict.