CHAPTER ONE ANSWERS TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION’S OBSERVATIONS 5. The presentation of all the periodic reports (3rd to 7th) by Senegal took place at the 34th Session of the African Commission held in Banjul, the Gambia from 6 to 20 November 2003. On this occasion, your Commission requested the Senegalese authorities to provide additional information on a number of issues, specifically to:      Provide the African Commission with information on measures taken by the government of Senegal to settle the problems relating to the families of the Diola boat disaster victims ; Continue with efforts aimed at harmonizing national legislation with the relevant provisions of the African Charter; Inform the African Commission about steps taken to improve the situation of street children ; Provide details on measures taken by the Senegalese government to improve detention conditions in Senegalese prisons ; Create a favorable environment on the Senegalese media landscape for pluralistic expression and to ensure that freedom of the press is exercised in accordance with the fundamental rights stipulated in the African Charter. 6. We are highly honored to provide the following answers to all these important points : I. ON THE CASAMANCE ISSUE 7. The situation of insecurity which characterized the southern region of Senegal for decades since the 1980’s and 1990’s has subsided as a result of efforts made by the government. The General Peace Agreement of 30 December 2004 signed between the government of Senegal and the Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) has calmed down the situation considerably, though it is still regrettable to note that acts of violence are committed intermittently by isolated armed gangs and that people fall victim to anti-personnel mines. 8. In any case, Senegal has strongly embarked on an extensive reconstruction programme in Casamance based naturally on the implementation of universally-accepted rights to which every individual is entitled, in particular economic, social and cultural rights. 9. The Senegalese Constitution adopted in 2001 by referendum establishes in its Article 1 as follows « equality of all citizens before the law, without any distinction whatsoever as to origin, race, gender, religion » and Title II of the Constitution 6