Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade on Saturday took his reelection campaign to Casamance, a region wracked by a rebellion he had vowed to solve in 100 days after his election in 2000.

Wade, who has faced a storm of criticism and violent protests over his third term candidacy in February 26 polls, arrived in seaside tourist magnet Cap Skirring on Saturday, welcomed by hundreds of supporters.

According to his official programme he will visit Oussouye, Bignona and then Ziguinchor, the capital of the Casamance region which is separated from the rest of Senegal by Gambia.

The lush southern province, which boasts sweeping palm-fringed beaches, has been a thorn in the side of Wade's regime, as deadly attacks by the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) continue despite his promise to solve the crisis.

The MFDC has been fighting for independence since 1982 in West Africa's longest running conflict.

The conflict, which has seen periods of quiet and surges of violence, has not reached the levels of bloodshed of other wars in the region but has nonetheless claimed thousands of lives over the past three decades.

Several peace accords have failed, the MFDC is reportedly riven with divisions and rebels are often implicated in large-scale hijackings and the terrorising of villagers.

The province, which is popular among tourists, is in limbo. Villages are heavily mined which means thousands remain displaced and agriculture which should thrive in this tropical region, has suffered.

Violence soared over November and December with 23 people, including 10 civilians, killed in fighting.

In his New Year's address to the nation Wade reiterated his "availability" for peace talks, urging rebel chiefs to put down arms and join peace talks.

In Dakar, rapper-led youth movement "Fed Up" will hold a protest Saturday at Obelisk Square which has been the scene of often violent opposition protests since Wade's candidacy was validated on January 27.