The prefect of the department of Kolda has issued, on Monday 22 September, a decree prohibiting until a new order the organization of cultural events known as kankourang on public roads. The decision follows public order troubles observed in recent weeks and, more particularly, the tragedy that occurred during an outing of kankourang in the Sikilo district, where a young man lost his life. In the text signed on Monday, the prefectural authority justified the measure by “the disruption of the free movement of persons” and “the use of blunt objects”, behaviour which has already resulted in serious injuries and, now, a death. The prefect recalls that the security forces are instructed to ensure the strict application of this prohibition and calls on the populations to respect the provisions taken, in order to preserve public security and tranquility. With this ban, the authorities hope to prevent new tragedies, while opening the way to a reflection on the modalities of organizing these cultural events.
Kolda: the prefect has banned the demonstrations of kankourang on the public road
