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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Apr 2011 : 18:17:04
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Gambia–Senegal Border Situation
By Lamin Sanyang
09-04-11
The situation at the borders between The Gambia and Senegal has been an issue of concern in the past few weeks, as it is reported that vehicles with Gambian Registration number are not allowed to cross the border to go to Senegal and vehicles with Senegalese registration numbers are not allowed to cross the Senegalese border to come to the Gambia.
This reporter visited the Seleti border post, bordering Gambia with the southern part of Senegal, to enquire from the border officials about the claims that vehicles are being prevented from crossing on either side. He was told that the Senegalese officer in charge of the border was not around. When the assistant, who declined to give out his name, was contacted, he explained that vehicles are issued with papers to cross the border but that when they enter some people would stop them on the way and tell them to return. He said they are not the ones who are responsible for ordering the people to turn back. He said the government of Senegal has not given any instructions for vehicles to be prevented from crossing the border. The official stressed that there is no problem between the two countries.
Talking to the ‘Chef de garage’ at the Seleti car park, Mr Edrisa Jarjue, alias Touray, he confirmed that Vehicles are being prevented from operating in Senegal. He said the problem arose because of information that came to the leaders of their Transport Union that the Senegalese vehicles do face a lot of difficulties at the ferry crossing at Bamba Tenda-Yelli Tenda. He said most of their vehicles had to spend days before crossing with the ferry and that this delay often causes economic losses for those traveling with goods. He said he cannot comment further, because the situation is above him and that the people responsible are their seniors who are at Bignona and Ziguinchor.
Monsieur Jarjue was quick to add that this problem does not affect the cordial relation that exists between the drivers in Senegal and those in The Gambia. He said their Gambian counter-parts are still bringing passengers up to the Seleti garage and that they too are also taking passengers to the garage at Giboro on the Gambian side.
When the authorities at the Gambian side of the border at Giboro were contacted to shed light on the matter, the Immigration officials told this reporter that the Officer Commanding (OC) was not in the office. When the deputy was contacted, he said he cannot comment on the issue. The Principal Customs officer was also said to have left for the Kombos and when the assistant was approached, he too declined to comment.
The ‘Chef de garage’ at Giboro was not at the garage at the time, and the drivers asked the reporter to talk to one of the heads, Mr. Galo Sowe. Mr. Sowe confirmed that the private vehicles from the Gambia are stopped when they enter Senegal and asked to return, adding that even private vehicles from Guinea Bissau that are coming to the Gambia are intercepted in Senegal and asked to go back.
When asked whether the border officials in Giboro do also intercept private vehicles from Senegal , he said he has not witnessed any such incident. He said the problem is not at the Gambian border but on the other side and that this has been going on for more than two weeks now.
Mr. Sowe complained that their Senegalese counter-parts did not inform them about the move and that most of them heard about it over the Sud FM radio in Senegal. He said the problem was said to be connected with the handling of Senegalese vehicles at the ferry crossing at Farafenni, as it is claimed that the authorities in the Gambia have agreed to build a bridge at the Bamba Tenda- Yeli Tenda crossing but failed to stand by the agreement. He said that the general complaint was that the Senegalese vehicles are facing lots of problems at the ferry crossing at Bamba Tenda- Yeli Tenda.
Mr. Sowe reiterated that there is no problem between the Gambian drivers and their counter-parts in Senegal as both of them are taking their passengers to their respective garages.
Meanwhile, the road leading to the Senegalese border post at Seleti is blocked with logs that allow for only one way traffic and two vehicles cannot use it at the same time.
That is the how matters stand at the Giboro-Seleti border.
Quizzing the drivers at the Guinea Conakry garage in Serrekunda, this reporter was told that the Guinean vehicles are not encountering problems at the two border posts, upon entering Senegal or leaving Gambia and that the problem is affecting only the Gambian and Senegalese vehicles. One of the drivers from Guinea said the private vehicles from the Gambia are allowed to cross the border but the commercial vehicles and trucks are not allowed.
EDITOR´s NOTE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Interior ought to have a joint press conference to explain to the Gambian people what to expect. Rumours are rife and many private vehicle owners are wondering whether they could go to Senegal with their vehicles. The Transport Union in the Gambia should engage their Senegalese counter parts and come up with a joint communiqué to resolve the crisis which could inform the policies of the two governments.
Source:Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2011 : 23:51:19
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| Nothing new here then,everybody is either out of the office gone away or cannot comment because the matter is above them,if I remember the initial starting of this problem a few weeks ago it was the Senelegese transport union who had serious complaints about their members vehicles being stopped by police,immigration, and customs every mile or so,and probably paid some sort of "fee" in order to proceed this was such an untenable situation that their journey was being made without profit,so I deduce that it is not a government intervention that is causing the problem but the Senagalese union members,using tactics often employed by the french unions when something happens that they don't like making their government take action and do something. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2011 : 23:05:37
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Thanks for the link kobo there you are no politicians involved here then,hang on isn't their job to represent the people of a country ? 
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 10 Apr 2011 23:07:37 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2011 : 10:39:50
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| This topic has died apparently no politics at all involved everyone is busy knocking everyone else and trying to score points about nothing,how refresing it would be if just for once these politicos came up with an idea to solve a problem or set forward a policy instead of talking about.........What do they talk about ? dosn't appear to be anything about the plight of Gambia and the average Gambian just about their parties getting into power. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2011 : 16:56:08
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Might get some discussion now kobo now that its political  and maybe the UDP will make a prouncement or perhaps not. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 11 Apr 2011 16:57:24 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2011 : 10:10:41
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I am sure that I have a lot of confidence in these people
A snippet from this article:
"The Ministry of foreign Affairs was also contacted and Permanent Secretary II said he was busy and referred the reporter to the office of Permanent Secretary I. The office of Permanent Secretary I was contacted and his private secretary said he was on a meeting. The private secretary told the reporter to leave contacts but did not return the call as we go press.
The office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior was contacted but was reported to be out of his office. When the Deputy Permanent Secretary was contacted she declined to comment. She said “The Permanent Secretary is the head of the department and he is the only person who can talk to you.”
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2011 : 15:56:51
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"Editor´s Note
Foroyaa will have to send e reporter to Dakar to throw more light on the problem "
Good Luck,everyone else is burying their heads in the sand,talk about this ? decide what to do about this ? of course not!
I refer bantaba members to the reply I gave earlier
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2011 : 21:31:01
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Some are crying,product cannot enter by commercial vehicles,road programme will be affected as a lot of road stone comes from Senegal.
http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6680
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY LAMENTS OVER UNOFFICIAL BORDER CLOSURE TO VEHICLES
By Publisher on 22-04-11 (120 reads) News by the same author
Some members of the business community have visited the Foroyaa office to explain their plight since the start of the unofficial closure of the border to vehicles crossing over from either side of the border. They claim that they have bought trucks which transport goods across the border. Some even used to transport building materials such as basalt. According to them they are losing millions and could end up in bankruptcy since they had to take loans to establish their businesses.
They claim that some buildings are standing still because of the inability to transport the basalt across the border. According to them the Gambian and Senegalese business community are all affected. Sales are going down since trans- border trade cannot take place without free movement of transports across borders.
They expressed fear that if the closure persists the scarcity of some goods will be the order of the day which will lead to a decline of legitimate trade and an increase in smuggling. According to them this is bound to lead to increase in the prices of some commodities. They call for speedy action to deal with the problem.
Foroyaa will send a reporter to Senegal to do a thorough investigation of what is going on since we cannot get clear information from the Gambia side.
The two countries are destined to be neighbours for eternity. There should be a healthy people to people, state to state and state to people relation to ensure the two states, one people principle. We will try to find out what is hampering such a development
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2011 : 21:43:58
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Gambian Delegation in Dakar for Border Talk?
Lamin Sanyang
28-04-11
A member of the Senegalese Transport Union and the ‘chef de garage’ of the Karang car park, Monsieur Pap Saine Dianko, informed this reporter that a delegation from the Gambia led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs met the Senegalese Foreign Affairs Minister,Monsieur Madicke Niang in an effort to end the unofficial border closure.
Monsieur Dianko said the Transport Union was invited to the meeting between the Gambian delegation and the government of Senegal. He said the Transport Union made it very clear to them that the way to resolve the problem is to build a bridge at the Yelli Tenda/Bamba Tenda ferry crossing at Farafenni. He said the Senegalese vehicles are all the time having problems at Farafenni and the government has showed no interest in solving the problem. He said recently, about three Senegalese vehicles encountered problems in the Gambia, adding the drivers were fined and detained for a period of time. He mentioned an incident involving a Senegalese truck that was carrying bags of cement which allegedly fell into the water at Yelli Tenda/Bamba Tenda. He said the incident resulted in a serious push and pull before the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) compensated the truck driver with an amount of 10 million CFA franc. He said “The biggest problem we are facing in the Gambia is the Bamba Tenda/Yelli Tenda ferry crossing at Farafenni.”
He noted that the European Union (EU) is willing to sponsor the project and the two countries will not spend a butut. He said “The government of the Gambia and Senegal are not going to spend a single butut to finance the project but it will be financed by the European Union. It does not mean when the bridge is built the vehicles will not pay. Of course, they will pay.”
Monsieur Dianko said President Wade has no powers to force the Gambia government to allow the building of the bridge and he cannot force the Senegalese Transport Unionist to remove the border blockade. He said the Transport Unionists are responsible for the border blockade and will not stop until their demands are met.
“Let it be known that Abdoulaye Wade has nothing to do with the border blockade and he cannot remove it. The Transport Union of Senegal is the one responsible for the blockade. We want President Yahya Jammeh to allow the European Union (EU) to build the bridge. We are determined to continue the blockade until our demands are met. Gambians and Senegalese are the same people”, said monsieur Dianko.
The officials at the Senegalese border post at Karang were contacted by this reporter, but the Commanding officer was not in the office. The person on duty was Monsieur Amat Joof who told the reporter that the borders are closed. He said the Transport Unionists have imposed a blockade and are not allowing vehicles having Gambian registration number plates to enter Senegal.
The officials at The Gambian border post at Amdallai were contacted by this reporter and the Principal Custom Officer was said to have left for the Kombos with his deputy. The person who was on duty told the reporter that the borders are closed. He said the Gambian borders are not closed, but it is the Senegalese who imposed a blockade.
Many businesses in the Gambia and Senegal are affected by the border blockade. Those who are involved in Trans-border business are the more affected by this problem. There are scarcities of some goods and this resulted in escalation of their prices in the market. The CFA franc also appreciated against the dalasi. The people are calling on the two governments to sit on the table to resolve the problem.
Editor´s Note
A reporter has been sent to Dakar to conduct more investigation into this problem
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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terangba
Egypt
225 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2011 : 22:07:51
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| The Senegalese Transport Union cannot force a bridge on a sovereign country, what world is he living in? |
God gave men dominion over the beasts and not over his fellow men unless they submit of their own free will. - Napoleon |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2011 : 14:27:06
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quote:
Originally posted by terangba
The Senegalese Transport Union cannot force a bridge on a sovereign country, what world is he living in?
FOROYAA SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR UNCOVERING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE POLITICAL CONFLICTS BETWEEN SENEGAL AND GAMBIA?
THE SENEGALESE GOVERNMENT IS WRONG ON THE BRIDGE PROJECT AND CANNOT RELY ON THE SENEGALESE TRANSPORT UNION TO IMPOSE WHAT THEY WANT IN TERRITORY OF THE GAMBIA  SENEGAL IS DEFINITELY APPLYING BULLYING TACTICS AND OUR CHERISHED GENERATIONS OF RELATIONS IS DETERIORATING VERY SERIOUSLY
I WOULD RECOMMEND STUDIES OF HISTORY, POLITICS AND TRADE OF SENEGAMBIA (WEST AFRICA & AFRICAN UNION) COMPULSORY IN CURRICULUM OF BOTH COUNTRIES FOR ALL AGES; TO EDUCATE, CREATE AWARENESS AND CONTROL ANY FUTURE EXPLOSIVE CONFLICTS |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2011 : 12:17:45
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1. DAILY OBSERVER NEWS UPDATE Wade, Jammeh committed to improving banjul-dakar relations Says Senegalese Foreign minister, as he meets President Jammeh UNDER http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/wade-jammeh-committed-to-improving-banjul-dakar-relations-says-senegalese-foreign-minister-as-he-mee
FOREIGN MINISTER'S ADVICE:
"When asked what his advice was with regards to relations between the two countries, Madicke Niang said: “Any individual from these two countries whoever thinks you can bring problem between these two countries, Allah will not allow you because these are two countries with one population,” he stressed. He admitted that Senegalese nationals are living peacefully in The Gambia, something he said is always confirmed to him anytime he meets his fellow countrymen here.
He added: “Anyone Senegalese you see has a relative in this country[Gambia] and any Gambian also has a relative in Senegal. So it is only peace that can reign between these two. But anyone – whether trade union, driver or transport union who thinks you can bring problem between these two countries, let you know that it will not happen.”"Daily Observer
2. AND THE POINT NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL BITE:Senegalo-Gambia relations must be strengthened UNDER http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/senegalo-gambia-relations-must-be-strengthened
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Edited by - kobo on 04 May 2011 14:47:36 |
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