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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
 Posted - 11 May 2011 : 17:04:44
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| I was wondering if the border has reopened as reported by The Point Newspaper , this is worrying for indeed it will cause untold hardship on the local populace on both sides of the divide. Surely the two countries should be able to solve this impasse and do away with such crude ways of dealing with bilateral issues. Senegal and The Gambia have such close relationships which can and must transcend boundaries which block and retard growth. Narrow nationalistic premises could hurt the mutually beneficial free movement of persons and goods from both sides. Any thing that could tamper with this need to be trashed out with all swiftness or urgency and create better modalities of trust and goodwill from both sides would help foster that relationship . The minor scuffles between drivers and the police or military on both sides is cause for concern but then national security demands at times require each side to perform checks which if unregulated could be regarded as superfluous or deemed as unnecessary delaying tactics employed by the agents on the ground to fleece the drivers etc. Truth is that when people find themselves confronting these checks on a nonstop basis they become flustered and given the Senegalese tastes of freedom one cannot blame them for protesting as they did.I do hope that the two governments would sit down and sort this problems once and for all. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 11:50:56
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What you write is indeed common sense,as with many things in Africa common sense is OFTEN the last thing that applies in dealing with problems especially of an international nature,to make things simple it is my understanding that this whole situation developed because of the following reasons,I would like some discussion on this to see if my reading of things is the same as other posters here on Bantaba,it is quite unlikely that that will happen because of a couple of reasons ,firstly I am a toubab and consequently regarded as an outsider and should not intefere with things that do not concern me as I am not a Gambian or an African for that matter,secondly,MOST posters here at the moment have a political adgenda that they are working on and the last thing they want is to formulate any policies or make any links that they haave formed within their political sphere to be disturbed,these are the reasons why there will be few replies.
Ok to get on with my reading of the situation,the Senegalese lorry drivers have suffered disruption to their trade by having to pay unreasonable tolls to enter and leave Gambia,there was also a perception,true or not I cannot comment,that police and customs checkpoints often demanded unauthorised payments in order to let the vehicles proceed,this resulted in transport of goods being an unviable enterprise.The Senegalese lorry drivers had enough and decided amongst themselves that they would cease transport to and from Gambia until the matter was sorted out.HOWEVER Gambia and Senegal relations have been strained due to allegations and rumours relating to Casamas region of Senegal who had long wanted their independence,consequently both the Senegal and the Gambian administrations were reluctant to get involved,hence the delay |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 20:11:12
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THE BORDER ISSUE Gambia-Senegal Border Blockade Removed
Lamin Sanyang
11-05-11
The Gambia Transport, Agriculture, Food and Industrial Workers’ Union last Sunday, told journalists at a press conference that they had reached an agreement with the Senegalese Transport Unions for the removal of the border blockade that has been affecting the movement of vehicles and goods between the two countries for the past 40 days. It was reported that both the Gambian and Senegalese Transport Unions agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and that the borders would be open on Monday, 9th May 2011.
This reporter travelled to the Amdalai-Karang and Giboro-Selety border posts to find out the facts on the ground. The president of the Transport Union for the region of Fatick who is responsible for the Karang branch, Monsieur Pap Seydou Dianko was contacted but was not in town. However, his assistant Monsieur Mbaye Ceesay and the ‘chef de garage’ of Karang, Monsieur Sereinge Ceesay both talked to this reporter about the situation. It was confirmed that the border blockade was removed that morning. They said the blockade was supposed to end at mid-day but the president of the region Monsieur Dianko decided to remove it in the morning.
The Vice President of the Transport Union for the region of Fatick, Monsieur Mbaye Ceesay complained about the problems that the Senegalese vehicles use to encounter in the Gambia. He talked about police harassment, bribery and the delay at the ferry check points; while the ‘chef de garage’ of Karang Car Park, Monsieur Sereinge Ceesay also complained about the private vehicles with Gambian registration number plates would pick passengers from Barra and take them to Dakar . He warned the authorities concerned to take steps, otherwise it could cause another problem in the future.
The border officials at the Amdalai and Karang border posts were contacted. They confirmed that the border blockade was removed and the vehicles are entering the two countries without problem. This reporter has also observed the free movement of vehicles and goods between the countries.
The Giboroh/Selety borders were visited to find out the facts on the ground. The ‘chef de garage’ of Selety Car Park, Monsieur Edrisa Jarjue alias (Touray), told this reporter that the border blockade was removed on Monday around mid night. He said the borders are opened and the vehicles are entering the two countries without encountering problems. The Senegalese border officials at Selety confirmed the removal of the border blockade. They said the Senegalese government was not responsible for the blockade.
While at the border this reporter saw more than ten trucks loads of cashew nuts at the Selety border post in Senegal. The truck drivers said the cashew nuts were loaded at Ziguinchor and were being taken to Banjul. They confirmed that the blockade was removed and they were waiting for the clearance to cross the borders to the Gambia. The Giboroh border officials were contacted and the Principal Customs officer was not in the office but it was confirmed that the border blockade has been removed. The ‘chef de garage’ of Giboroh car park, Mr. Janneh also confirmed the removal of the blockade to this reporter.
The president of the Gambia Transport, Agriculture, Food and Industrial Workers’ Union , Mr. Ousman Drammeh was contacted to shed light on the issue and the details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two Transport Unions. He disclosed the content of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed at Kerr Ayib. He said the first step taken was a fact finding mission at the region of Kaolack that was a strategic point for the movement of transport and transportation within the sub-region. He said the region of Kaolack is the region with the vast majority of transport workers in Senegal. He said he was told the transport workers of Kaolack started the issue and invited the other regions to a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in Kaolack.
He said he was also advised to go to the regional president of the Transport Union for the region of Fatick, Monsieur Pape Seydou Dianko, who is responsible for Karang. He said Monsieur Dianko also assured him the same solidarity and cooperation like the Kaolack Transport workers. Mr. Drammeh said he first went to the Gambia Chamber of Commerce (GCC) and requested them to invite the delegations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Works to a meeting. He said he also advised them to invite the representatives of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC). He said the reason was the Senegalese Transport workers complained of police harassment, bribery and delay at the ferry check points including the truck that fell in the river and the vehicle that hit the NAWEC pole. He said the GPA made it clear that they have compensated the truck driver with 11 million CFA francs. He said the vehicles that hit the NAWEC pole and the other that had an accident and was impounded at Mansakonko have been released.
He said he contacted the president of the Transport workers in Kaolack who advised him to meet the president of the Senegalese Transport Union, Monsieur Alassan Ndoye and the Secretary General Monsieur Ngora Humma, at the headquarters in Dakar.
“I went to the Transport Union head office in Dakar and was told to consult my government and they would consult their government to select a date and venue for the meeting. I went to the Gambian High Commissioner in Dakar, Mr. Ismaila Sambou but he was busy with the Gambian Foreign Minister in his office. So I wrote a note and left,” said Mr. Drammeh.
He said two days later he went to the Ministry of Foreign affairs to meet the Minister who said the government would talk with the Senegalese government while the Transport Union should talk to their Senegalese counterpart at their own level. He said he went with six members of the union and some members of the National Transport Control Association to attend the meeting at Kerr Ayib in Senegal . He said the (MoU) was signed by the Transport Federation of Senegal and the Gambia Transport Control Association. He said his Union felt it would have been wise for the Gambia National Trade Union Congress (GNTUC) which is the umbrella body to sign it. He said the substance of the MoU is as follows:
1. To make sure the Senegalese vehicles did not have any problem and delay at the ferry check points.
2. The police check points on the road should be reduced.
3. The signing of the (MOU) was for the safe keeping of the drivers, goods and services.
4. To exchange ideas and experience periodically to avoid such kind of problem
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 20:35:09
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Gambia National Transport Control Association Reacts To The Border Issue
By Kebba Camara
11-05-11
Mr. Foday Bah Assistant Secretary General of the Gambia National Transport Control Association said their transport association is the sole body responsible for the dialogue with Senegalese authorities to open the boarder and not Mr. Ousman Drammeh who earlier told reporters that his (Drammeh’s) union was the one engaged in the border opening dialogue.
The assistant Secretary General in an interview told this reporter that their association had about 3 meetings in the past months and agreed that they should have a final meeting on 6 May when a final agreement will be made to open the borders.
“But to our surprise we have seen newspaper reports that Ousman Drammeh was the guy responsible to negotiate the opening of the borders. Mr. Assan Ndoye the president of the Senegalese transport union informed him (Ousman) that he has not seen him in the past meeting and therefore would not allow him to have a voice in the meeting. This was in the presence of the Police Commissioner NBR, Commissioner of Immigration and Head of Customs in Farafenni.”
Mr. Bah said Mr. Drammeh was even arrested by the police for his involvement in the border negotiating issue.
When he was asked what their association discussed with the Senegalese transport union, Mr. Bah said “We asked them about the reason for the closure of the borders which they disclosed and we agreed on certain terms between both parties; we agreed on very strong transport terms and we told them that their drivers will no more have problems with Gambian authorities. About the bridge, we told them that, that is left with the two governments to decide.”
When asked if the borders would be opened on Monday the 9th, Mr. Bah said that it is true but that Mr. Drammeh was not directly involved in the border negotiation. “We later had a closed door meeting and set a day for the border to be opened and Ousman was not in the close door meeting.
This reporter further asked Mr. Bah to dilate on the differences between his association and Mr. Drammeh´s Union. Mr. Bah responded: “We don’t want to elaborate on much of that yet, we just want to clarify the border issue as at now”.
Mr. Dibba the Secretary General of the Gambia National Transport Control Association also echoed similar comments.
It could be recalled that Mr. Ousman Drammeh the president of the Gambia Transport, Agriculture, Food and Industrial workers called on the media to announce the opening of the borders between Gambia and Senegal .
Mr. Morr Gaye- Jarju the Secretary General Ziguinchor Transport Association in a telephone interview yesterday afternoon told this reporter that the borders were opened after talks with the Gambia Transport Association and normal transportation has now started between the borders.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 21:10:33
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| Well that's good. let's hope that boarder crossings with goods and transport goes smoothly and common sense will prevail,it should be noted( as Momodou observed ) that even the persons responsible for the settlement are confused as to who eventually got the border open. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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