The Gambia Transport Union (GTU) has reacted angrily to Friday’s blockade of Gambian buses by their Senegalese counterparts describing it as “disappointing”.

Gambian buses travelling to Senegal were stopped at Karang border post by members of the Senegalese Transport Union. A fight ensued during the standoff. 

The Union’s managing director Seedy Kanyi told Gambiana that “disappointment will be an understatement. We are devastated, and we are disheartened by the continuous blockade of our buses by the Senegalese Transport Union.

“We have had series of meetings with the Karang Transport Union on almost four occasions and all these meetings we have agreed to respect all the protocols but  only for them to turn around and (take such actions) is a great disappointment to us.”

Mr Kanyi however said his union was able to return passengers back to The Gambia and refund each a sum of five hundred dalasi (D500) aimed at remedying the challenges they encountered at the border. 

This is the second incident involving Gambian buses travelling to Senegal. Last month a fleet of buses from The Gambia were denied entry to Senegal by the country’s transport union. It triggered outrage among Gambians who accused Senegal of not respecting the border treaty between the two nations.

Meanwhile, Friday’s incidence also triggered nationwide condemnation and many Gambians called on the Barrow government to act swiftly in resolving the transport dispute between the two unions. 

They described the action as “detrimental” to the bilateral relations of the two countries, citing the Ecowas Protocol on free movement of goods and services.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba