The Soninkara group in Basse, Garawol URR,  has exhorted the government to handle the caste system rigidity in Basse courteously to avoid awakening violence within ‘the supposed slaves and supposed free borns’ in the community. The group additionally urged the government to respect the culture and traditions of both sides.

“We also want to issue a formal complaint to the Gambia government and the Inspector General of Police against the Basse police chief (Ensa Badjie) over his handling of caste issues in Garawol,” According to a statement issued by the group, the police and army commanders in Basse warned the residents of Garawol after the village Alkalo forcefully ordered a man “a supposed slave” to pay a fine of D10,000 for leading a congregational pray on the day of Eid-Al Adha known as Tobaski.

The decision to admonish the people of Garawol to desist from such discriminatory acts was reached at a meeting called by the police commissioner Ensa Badjie between the two parties.

“The alkalolu in Soninkara communities, like other alkalolu around the country should serve as authorities maintaining peace and order in their various villages. We want to remind the government that each Gambian village has its cultural and traditional norms.

“These practices rely on both our religious and constitutional values. The caste system in the Soninkara society just like in Mandinka, Fulani and Wolof societies is a tradition. We are aware of the constitutional provision which clearly states that no person shall be held in slavery or servitude or forced labour. These provisions are not violated by the Soninkara society,” the group argued.

The statement further states that “These values, cultural and traditional ways of living are also protected under the Gambian Constitution. We will not tolerate attempts by anyone to destabilize norms that guide our peaceful co-existence in our villages for hundreds of years. As far as we are concerned, everyone is free to belong to any caste group without resorting to violence, insults and disturbing the peace in our communities.

“For the police commissioner in Basse to convene such a meeting with other law enforcement officers and basically threaten our alkalo is totally unacceptable. We in Soninkara Concern Group want to register this formal complaint loud and clear that days are gone when officers responsible for public protection and safety can bully and threaten societies and go scot-free.”

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also added their voice in the Soninkara saga by calling on the government to take swift actions to address the issue of the caste system at its infancy before it gets out of control.

By: Fatoumatta Samateh