Gambiaj.com – (LABE, Guinea) – Road transport services linking Guinea’s Labé region with The Gambia and Senegal have been suspended since September 3, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting movement along key regional trade corridors.
The strike was triggered by growing frustration among drivers over what they describe as the proliferation of roadblocks and excessive payments demanded at checkpoints along the routes.
On Monday, September 7, the impact of the stoppage was visible at several transport terminals in Labé, including the Daka station, where vehicles remained parked and passengers faced uncertainty over when their journeys would resume.
Drivers Protest Roadblocks and Payments
Drivers say the number of checkpoints has increased to unsustainable levels, particularly along the Koundara corridor leading towards the Senegalese and Gambian borders.
“The problem is no longer limited to simple road checks. There are now too many roadblocks, especially between Koundara and the Senegalese and Gambian borders. At every checkpoint, we have to pay,” said driver Mamadou Barry.
He said the cumulative payments were making the journeys increasingly unprofitable.
“By the time we arrive at our destination, there is nothing left of the money we have earned. The journey has become very expensive, and we are practically operating at a loss. That is why we decided to suspend all activity,” Barry said.
Passengers Bear the Brunt
The suspension has directly affected passengers travelling between Guinea, Senegal, and The Gambia, forcing many to postpone their journeys or seek alternative means of transportation.
According to information gathered by Guinéenews’ regional newsroom in Labé, discussions have been opened in Koundara involving the different parties in an effort to resolve the dispute. However, no agreement had been reached by Monday evening.
The disruption comes on routes that are vital to communities on both sides of the borders. The corridors serve as important channels for the movement of people and the transportation of goods between Guinea, Senegal, and The Gambia.
Regional Trade at Risk
The prolonged stoppage could have wider economic consequences if it continues, particularly for traders and communities that depend on regular cross-border transport.
A bus journey from Labé to Senegal normally costs between 280,000 and 300,000 Guinean francs. With services suspended, passengers face additional uncertainty and potentially higher costs as they look for alternative routes.
Unless the ongoing negotiations produce a settlement, the strike risks further disrupting mobility and cross-border commerce along one of the region’s important transport corridors.
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