More than 22 people have been seriously injured in clashes between two villages in The Gambia, the country’s Police has confirmed.
A team of security officers was dispatched to communities of Niamina Sambang Fula Kunda and Mandinka Kunda to curb further spread of the violence. The clashes begun on Tuesday and have continued in these communities.
“We can confirm the communal dispute between Niamina Sambang Fula Kunda and Mandinka Kunda on 11th August 2020. The incident resulted in 22 injuries from both sides including a woman and three compounds in Fula Kunda were burnt,” Police Spokesman Superintendent Lamin Njie said.
“Equally, an investigation is opened into the matter.”
Asked if any arrests have been made, Njie said details of arrests have not reached his office so far, hence investigations to get all those involved continue.
Violence between the two communities continues to flare up since communal tensions broke out over disputed rice fields in 2018.
According to media reports, the incident occurred when a donkey from one of the rival communities entered into the farmland of others leading to confrontation.
“A donkey from the Mandinka community entered the farm of one man from the Fula community,” according to an eye witness.
“I can even confirm that the two villages also clashed yesterday as the Fula community vowed to revenge. Currently, personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) have been deployed in the area to calm the situation and maintain peace and order,” a source said.
Gambian Police has arrested 11 people in connection with the incident and are being detained at Bansang Police Station. Meanwhile, 9 other suspects are detained at Jareng Police Station as investigation into the matter continues.
