The education sector in the Bignona department is experiencing significant turmoil following another physical assault against a member of the teaching staff. According to information reported by the G7 departmental coordinator, Yancouba Badji, a supervisor on duty at the CEM (middle school) in the village of Souda was violently attacked by an "Ifambondi," a Kankourang-type cultural mask, on Monday, January 19, 2026, at around 5:00 PM.

In response to the gravity of this act, which occurred on school grounds, all the general secretaries of the G7 member unions—including CUSEMS, SAEMSS, SELS, UDEN, SNELAS-FC, SIEN, and CUSEMS-A—met urgently to determine a response commensurate with the affront. The union leaders unanimously decided to hold a 48-hour work stoppage, covering Tuesday, January 20, and Wednesday, January 21, 2026, to protest the growing insecurity in this part of Casamance.

The inter-union group did not limit itself to this work stoppage, as it formally requested that all teachers working in the Kalounayes area immediately leave their respective places of service until further notice. This drastic measure aims to protect the physical safety of state employees against what Yancouba Badji describes as repeated attacks by these "mythical and cultural beings." To permanently resolve this conflict between cultural practices and the school calendar, the G7 is now demanding that administrative authorities issue a prefectural decree formally prohibiting the wearing of these masks during the school year.

Alongside security concerns, this crisis meeting provided an opportunity for unions to reiterate their persistent financial demands. The G7 coordinator firmly insisted on the immediate and full payment of all allowances related to the 2025 Baccalaureate exams, denouncing what he deemed an unacceptable delay in payment. Yancouba Badji concluded his remarks by warning that the unions would not hesitate to take any action until they obtained satisfaction regarding the protection of staff and the fulfillment of the State's financial commitments.