Copyright 2002 British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC Monitoring Africa - Political
Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring
July 16, 2002, Tuesday
LENGTH: 314 words
HEADLINE: Senegal: Truckers prevent Gambian minister from crossing border
post
SOURCE: Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 1230 gmt 16 Jul 02
Text of report by Radio France Internationale on 16 July
There is another bone of contention between The Gambia and Senegal. The
Gambian authorities, last week, decided to double transportation fares on
the ferry, which crosses the Senegal River to The Gambia. The increase
affects Senegalese vehicles only. As a result, Senegalese transport owners
immediately blocked the way on the Trans-Gambian Highway, which runs down
from Senegal and crosses The Gambia. Of course, this situation has
adversely affected diplomatic relations between Dakar and Banjul. These
relations were already strained notably as a result of the Casamance issue.
Correspondent Olivier Roger has the details:
Roger Actually, what happened between Senegal and The Gambia is called a
diplomatic incident. Yesterday morning, Gambian Foreign Minister Babucar
Blaise Jagne wanted to drive across the Senegalese border, but the
transport owners, who have been boycotting The Gambia since 13 July,
prevented him from crossing. This story sums up the atmosphere currently
prevailing between Banjul and Dakar. Gambia's decision to double ferry
transportation fare, which affects only Senegalese, is seen as an act of
discrimination, and the transport owners decided to go round the Gambian
territory. This strategy to go round the territory is also the official
position adopted by the Senegalese Government. To this effect, Dakar will
soon put in place along the Kaolack-Tambakounda highway tax-free gas
stations for those using it.
This Senegal-Gambia row comes up in a context already difficult as a result
notably of the Casamance conflict. The Senegalese Army strongly suspects
Gambia of being complacent towards the rebels, and it has decided to
position along the southern border to prevent the infiltration of elements
of the Movement of Casamance Democratic Forces from The Gambia.
LOAD-DATE: July 16, 2002
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