Senegal & The Gambia
Transgambian Highway reopened; Senegal reconnects to south

afrol News, 8 September - With the connection lines through The Gambia between Senegal's north and the southern province of Casamance cut for months, Senegalese travellers and Gambian traders are happy to see the highway crisis coming to an end. At the same time, sea traffic between Northern Senegal and Casamance is to return operating.

A disagreement over national quotas of vehicles to carry people and goods on the highway had made Senegalese chauffeurs boycott the Transgambian routes, to Gambian road traders' great frustration. Also Senegalese traders and travellers had been burdened with extra travel costs and time due to the temporary use of the much longer and slower connection over inland Tambacounda. 

Going from Senegal's north to the fertile Casamance province, the Senegalese usually have three cheap options. The include passing through Kaolack and the Gambian town Farafenni on the Transgambian Highway; using the slower coastal highway passing through the Gambian capital Banjul; or taking the 'Joola' ferry. As Senegalese chauffeurs boycotted the Transgambian routes, even the 'Joola' ferry has been non-operational due to an accident in August.

The Senegalese-Gambian quarrel over highway transport quotas seemed to have found its solution in July. The two country's governments signed a two-year agreement to regulate their growing inter-state road transports. The agreement gave a total of 250 permanent licences - 150 of which were to be given Senegalese carriers - for the trans-frontier transport of goods and people. Outraged Senegalese drivers however refused to lift their sanctions and the restrictions on vehicle movements over the border continued.

Gambian traders were estimated to lose Franc CFA millions a day as a consequence of the boycott. The 17 kilometres of transit through The Gambia have resulted in great commercial activities along the road as prices are lower in the Gambia. Senegalese voyagers therefore use the stops in The Gambia to buy cheap imported items. Salesmen in Farafenni feared for their livelihoods as the Gambian border post is a boom town at the Senegalese border which owns most of its existence to this trade. 

Lengthy negotiations between Gambian and Senegalese drivers finally led to the lifting of the border transport restrictions this weekend. Gambian drivers expressed satisfaction over this move to the Banjul-based 'Daily Observer'. 

Passengers could also enjoy more good news this weekend. Members of the Gambian drivers union promised the deal stricken with their Senegalese colleagues would not mean higher fares. Additionally, the 'Joola' ferry has now been repaired and was being tested on its functionalities. It is supposed to restart operations on 10 September. 

Sources: Based on Senegalese govt and press and afrol archives

 

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