Roman Catholic peacemakers say that eight Senegalese soldiers were freed by rebels in the southern Casamance district.
The Sant’Egidio Community confirmed, in a statement issued in Rome, that the soldiers were released by the rebels to promote peace negotiations.
A conflict has raged for more than 30 years between the Senegalese government and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance, who are fighting for independence of the southern region.
The Sant’Egidio Community has mediated peace negotiations which started in Rome in October.