5 months ago
34 ARTICLE AD
Guinea Bissau president Umaro Sissoco Embalo has ordered the partial closure of its border with Senegal due to deadly clashes that erupted between two Muslim communities.
The two communities in southern Senegal have long been at loggerheads over control of the local main mosque and accuse each other of being at the root of tensions that have led to several deaths in the past.
Clashes erupted again in the communities A town very close to Guinea Bissau neighbouring
One person died and around 20 others were injured, according to the interior ministry.
President Embalo said that following Monday’s clashes, “one of the communities (had) called in reinforcements” living in Guinea-Bissau.
“I immediately took the decision to close this part of the border to prevent any escalation of violence. My country’s security forces are ensuring that this measure is scrupulously respected,” he added.
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau share a 300-kilometre (186-mile) border.
Located more than 500 kilometres from Dakar, Medina Gounass hosts an annual 10-day pilgrimage attended by thousands of Muslims.
