Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the partial closure of the border with Senegal following deadly clashes between two rival Muslim communities in Medina Gounass.
The violence, which broke out during Eid celebrations on Monday, resulted in one death and around 20 injuries, according to the Senegalese Interior Ministry.
President Embalo stated that one of the communities involved in the clashes had sought reinforcements from Guinea-Bissau, prompting his decision to close the border to prevent further violence. “My country’s security forces are ensuring that this measure is scrupulously respected,” Embalo told AFP.
The communities in southern Senegal have a history of disputes over the control of the local main mosque, leading to repeated tensions and fatalities. Medina Gounass, located a few kilometers from the Guinea-Bissau border and more than 500 kilometers from Dakar, is known for hosting an annual 10-day pilgrimage attended by thousands of Muslims.
