The African Meeting for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO) learned with shock of the incident that occurred in Medina Gounass in the Kolda region and remains concerned by this situation. On Monday, June 17, 2024, violent altercations took place in Medina Gounass. The Caliph’s procession was attacked, resulting in the death of one person and numerous injuries and material damage. This attack occurred as the procession was leaving the Tabaski prayer site to return to the Caliph’s residence.
This incident took place in a context of communal conflict between residents of the area, with episodes of occasional violence, as was the case in 2007 and the 1990s, when communal conflict caused dozens of losses of life. The African Meeting for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO):
– Strongly condemns the use of violence to resolve the dispute between religious communities and the attack perpetrated against the procession of the Caliph of Medina Gounass;
– Calls for the opening of an investigation to determine responsibility for such acts and bring the perpetrators to justice;
– Calls upon the religious leaders of the conflicting communities to demonstrate a sense of responsibility to restore calm and serenity within their respective families, drawing inspiration from the precepts of Islam and the teachings of its Prophet;
– Calls upon all religious communities in the country, particularly those of the Omarienne family, Tivaouane, Touba, and the Niassenes, for urgent mediation that takes into account the interests of all communities, for a rapid return to peace and social cohesion, within the framework of peaceful coexistence between communities condemned to live together;
– Calls on state authorities to use all their might to prevent such acts.
Done in Dakar, June 19, 2024
Sadikh Niass SG RADDHO