Dakar's Frontiers With Banjul Remain Closed



The Independent (Banjul)

July 19, 2002
Posted to the web July 19, 2002

Seedy Bojang
Banjul

Despite the visit of Senegal's Interior General Mamadou Niang the frontiers
of trade between Senegal and the Gambia remain closed almost a week after
the Senegalese Transport Union decided to stop the flow of vehicular traffic
from both sides of the border. Since Sunday no vehicle either from Senegal
or The Gambia has been allowed by the transport union to cross from Karang
or from other points in The Gambia's south bank. The Union was protesting
over the increased tariffs by The Gambia and the fact that Senegalese
vehicles are required to pay duty in The Gambia while Gambians vehicles are
exempted from paying dues in Senegal. The Union said this was grossly
affecting its drivers who should benefit from a duty waiver from The Gambia.
The Union continues to show a heavy presence at checkpoints, restricting the
movements of goods and persons into Senegalese territory.

Gambia's Foreign Secretary Blaise Jagne who was to go on a diplomatic
mission to Mauritania was forced to cancel his trip, due to the border
closure.

In a press briefing, the government of the Gambia condemned the situation as
undesirable, mockery and revoke of protocol of accord and bilateral
agreement on road transport agreements signed by the two countries, dating
back in 1997 and later renewed in 2000, when similar situation erupted
between the government of Senegal and Gambia.

Blaise Jagne, said in a press briefing said the government of Senegal has
failed to live up to expectation by adhering to the protocol of accord that
binds the two countries on road transport and trade.

He said it seems that they have little or no control over the transport
union, which he said is abusing the bilateral agreement on road
transportation. He said agreements are meant to be implemented.

He said the same situation occurred in 2000, when Gambian vehicles were not
allowed to enter Senegal. The two governments later resolved the problem.
'The Gambia believes in the amicable resolution of disputes, and as a result
the government will take appropriate steps to address the issue', he
said.Meanwhile, vehicles travelling from The Gambia are still reportedly
denied entry into the Senegalese territory.





Beran S. Jeng


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