Gambiaj.com – (KERR AYIB, Senegal) – Tensions have escalated between Senegalese truckers and Gambia as dozens of trucks remain immobilized at the border. The standoff began Monday, August 5, when the Senegalese drivers decided to block traffic in with their vehicles in protest against new demands imposed by the Gambian customs administration.

The Gambian decision, announced on July 30, now mandates trucks using the Trans-Gambian Highway to pay tracking fees in both directions. Previously, only vehicles heading to Casamance were required to pay these fees, which amount to 16,000 FCFA and are used for transit control. This change has sparked outrage among Senegalese truckers, who are also burdened by other costs, including visa fees, weighing fees, bridge crossing fees, and alleged extortions by Gambian law enforcement along the Trans-Gambian corridor.

Abdoulaye Kébé, the Senegal’s drivers’ spokesperson, explained that the tracking device, initially required only at the northern entrance for vehicles en route to Casamance, is now demanded at the southern border as well. This added expense has become a significant point of contention.

In addition to the tracking fees, drivers complain about frequent extortions, where they are forced to pay 1,000 FCFA without receiving any receipt or confirmation of payment. The cumulative costs, coupled with the lack of courtesy and proper management from authorities, have intensified their grievances.

Sources close to the Gambian customs administration justify the tracking devices as a measure to prevent truckers from taking unauthorized detours within Gambian territory.

The crisis has prompted an emergency mission by Gora Khouma, Secretary-General of the Union of Road Transporters of Senegal, to The Gambia in an attempt to resolve the situation.

The beginning of the border crisis coincided with a two-day working visit by Gambian Vice President Mohamed B.S. Jallow to Senegal, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

When Senegalese journalists asked VP Jallow about the matter, he said he was not aware of the crisis and assured them that he would look into the issue upon his return to The Gambia.

The border crisis has raised concerns about the impact on regional trade and transportation between the two countries.

On Tuesday, Gora Khouma visited Keur Ayib and Sénoba to assess the truckers’ strike. Following discussions with the Senegalese embassy and the Gambian customs administration, he succeeded in getting the 4,000 FCFA visa fee, deemed illicit, canceled. However, the 16,000 FCFA tracking fee remains unresolved. The Gambian customs administration at the border referred Gora Khouma to the Ministry of Finance and Budget in Banjul.

“As long as the situation is not resolved, we will maintain the strike,” stated Gora Khouma. “If the Gambian Vice President does not address the concerns of the road transporters, we will boycott the Trans-Gambian Highway and take the detour via Tambacounda.”

The Gambian Vice President, who was unaware of the crisis until his visit to Dakar, has since committed to resolving the issue upon his return to The Gambia.

As the situation unfolds, the affected truckers and border communities await a definitive solution to the ongoing dispute. Until Wednesday evening, the tension has continued to remain high both at Kerr Ayib and Senoba.