Police have confirmed that the people of Manduar Mandinka and those of Manduar Touba clashed on Tuesday over the issue of voter registration.
Police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network the villagers clashed over having two alkalos preside over attestation for voters in Manduar.
Superintendent Njie explained: “There is a dispute over alkaloship between the two Manduars. There is Manduar Mandinka and Manduar Touba of the Wollof. The IEC had designated a voter registration centre for Manduar. This centre is based at the Manduar Mandinka Kunda. But there is the other side which is Manduar Touba who have their own alkalo and this alkalo is a legally appointed alkalo also. So the IEC realized that since they are both alkalos and there is one registration centre, they suggested that the two alkalos can come at the registration centre or maybe they can all be designated as people can give attestation in case there is anybody who needs attestation.
“But the people in the Mandinka area said that is not possible because the only recognized alkalo is their own alkalo, the other alkalo cannot participate in that process. So I understand that the other alkalo came with his table and stuff and they (Manduar Mandinka) came and disrupted the whole process and even instigated violence. So this was why the police decided to intervene and deploy officers there and control the situation. So in that process, five people have been arrested for obstruction related issues and their matters are under investigation.”
