Local authorities in Keur Massar faced significant disruptions during a planned clearance operation this weekend when an altercation erupted between two municipal leaders. Mayor Bilal Diatta and Mayor Adama Sarr became involved in a heated confrontation that required intervention from gendarmerie forces to restore order. The incident occurred as municipal services from both Keur Massar North and surrounding areas accompanied the prefect in an operation to clear encroachments and liberate public spaces.

The confrontation marks the second time Mayor Diatta has found himself at the center of controversy during clearance operations in recent days. Earlier incidents involving journalists covering the eviction operations had already drawn public attention to the tense situation in Keur Massar. The latest altercation between the two municipal officials was captured in video footage shared on social media by BuurNews, showing the escalating tensions between local authorities.

While exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, the confrontation illustrates the persistent tensions surrounding clearance operations in the area. The operation was conducted by the General Directorate of Living Environment, which deployed teams specifically to Keur Massar for what was described as a disencumbrance and liberation of encroached areas. Street vendors and informal merchants have been at the center of these clearance efforts, creating complex challenges for local governance.

The intervention by gendarmerie forces highlights the severity of the situation and the difficulties authorities face in managing urban planning and informal economic activities. The incident raises questions about coordination between different municipal departments and the challenges of implementing urban policy in densely populated areas. As video of the confrontation circulates on social media, the event continues to generate reactions and scrutiny of local governance approaches to urban management and vendor regulation.