The Bishop of Ziguinchor, Mgr Jean Baptiste Valter Manga, has called for the "purification of the land of Casamance," which has been scarred by years of conflict. He invites the faithful, especially young people and women, to reconcile with this land and return to revive it.

"If we are to return to the land, it must first be purified. We know how much the land of Casamance has been soiled by human blood. Much blood has been shed. What I ask of the women and all the diocesans is that, this year and in the years to come, we may stop in our villages, our parishes, wherever human blood has been shed, to pray and ask forgiveness from our brothers and sisters whose blood has been shed, even if we were not the ones who killed them," the bishop said.

For Bishop Valter Manga, the fertility of this land necessarily requires a process of reconciliation and forgiveness towards all the souls lost during the years of violence. "Those who died in difficult conditions must rest in peace so that this land can produce good fruit," he added.

This appeal was made during a prayer vigil organized by the Diocesan Union of Catholic Women of Ziguinchor, a moment of thanksgiving and prayer for peace, as the opening of the pastoral year approaches.

On Sunday, October 26, 2025, the bishop will preside over the launch of the new pastoral year in Ziguinchor, the first since his installation at the head of the diocese. According to him, this will be an opportunity to send the faithful on mission and lay the foundations for a new era of peace, reconciliation, and a return to the land.