Marsassoum is a small town and seat of the Marsassoum Arrondissement in the Ziguinchor Region of Senegal, roughly 33 kilometres (21 mi) from Ziguinchor. It lies on the bank of the Soungrougrou River.[2] In 2023 it had a population of 9,815.

Marsassoum
Town and commune
Marsassoum is located in Senegal
Marsassoum
Marsassoum
Location in Senegal
Coordinates: 12°49′39″N 15°58′50″W / 12.82750°N 15.98056°W / 12.82750; -15.98056
Country Senegal
RegionZiguinchor
DepartmentZiguinchor
ArrondissementMarsassoum
Area
 • Town and commune
3.599 km2 (1.390 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 census)[1]
 • Town and commune
9,815
 • Density2,700/km2 (7,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)

History

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During colonial times it was a centre of the slave trade. Children could be sold from 200 to 250 francs.[3] Today there are significant populations of Mandinka people living in the vicinity.[4]

On July 28, 2008, gendarmes opened fire on 10 demonstrators who had barricaded the roads in Marsassoum.[5]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ Citypopulation.de Population and area of Marsassoum Commune
  2. ^ Gadjigo, Samba (6 May 2010). Ousmane Sembà ̈ne: The Making of a Militant Artist. Indiana University Press. p. 171. ISBN 0-253-00426-8.
  3. ^ Mark, Peter (2002). "Portuguese" Style and Luso-African Identity: Precolonial Senegambia, Sixteenth-nineteenth Centuries. Indiana University Press. p. 125. ISBN 0-253-21552-8.
  4. ^ Mande Studies. African Studies Program, University of Wisconsin. 1999. p. 159.
  5. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008 Vol.1. Government Printing Office. p. 492. ISBN 978-0-16-087515-1.