By Adama Makasuba in Casamance 

MFDC rebels have shown off seven Senegalese soldiers they claimed were captured in last week’s shootout along The Gambia-Senegal border.

The captured soldiers were shown to a group of Gambian journalists who were invited to a rare interview with separatist leader Salif Sadio in the jungle of Casamance.

The men all sitting on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs pleaded for their release. 

Speaking to reporters in the jungle today, Omar Choi of one the hostages called on the leaders of Ecowas to help broker talks with the rebels for their release.

Choi told reporters: “This is how we are since January 25. They are giving us food and water, but it’s the mind that eats.”

“This happens to only men but we thank God,” he said, adding they don’t know if their clashes with the rebels was part of the deal of their mission to The Gambia under Ecowas.

“We are on an Ecowas mission to The Gambia but we ended here in Casamance, and we don’t know whether this is part of our Ecowas mission to The Gambia,” he added.

“We are asking our authourities to keep praying for our release,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Flezance Manga also a captured soldier echoed similar remarks saying they want to be released at the mercy of the rebels.