When Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade took office, he promised to end a decades-long separatist struggle in the south, within his first 100 days in power.<br/> <br />Twelve years have now passed, and nothing has changed.<br/> <br />The people of Casamance are tired of the violence and are disappointed with the government.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (French) MARKET VENDOR, BABACAR FALL, SAYING:<br/> <br />"It's not the fighting which will put an end to this war, it's too complex. There are only two solutions. Either you set Casamance free or you rebuild it properly as a integral part of Senegal, and building massively. That can sort out the problem."<br/> <br />Foreign travel warnings have crippled the potentially lucrative tourism industry.<br/> <br />Leaving beach-front resorts like these empty.<br/> <br />Ten years ago Jean-Paul Fontaine spent four million dollars building this five-star resort.<br/> <br />He is now full of regret.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (French) BEACH RESORT OWNER, JEAN-PAUL FONTAINE, SAYING:<br/> <br />"If your asked me if I would make the same investment again 10 years on, the answer is: No, because I made this investment taking into account the government's promises regarding development, and a peaceful resolution to the Casamance conflict. In fact I notice that for the last 10 years we've seen a degradation of the institutions."<br/> <br />A string of peace deals have been signed, but never implemented.<br/> <br />As the remote south struggles into its fourth decade, few of its inhabitants expect any progress despite the polls on Sunday.<br/> <br />Sophia Soo, Reuters.
