Omar Ceesay, president of the Gambia Transport Union, has condemned the Senegalese drivers behind the tension that erupted at the Gambia-Senegal border.

The tension was triggered by the newly initiated Gambia Revenue Authority E-tracking system that imposed a D1,600 tax levied on each truck crossing the Gambian borders.

Reacting to the situation, Mr Ceesay told reporters that “the Senegalese drivers are at fault”, adding that they started blocking Gambian vehicles in protest against the country’s E-tracking system and yet Gambian drivers are charged 3,000 dalasis in Senegal.

 “The Senegalese drivers are protesting against GRA’s tracking system. They say that they paid the money, and they started blocking the Gambian vehicles from entering into their country. This makes me disappointed in them because I see no reason why they should block our vehicles. It pains me and I have engaged my counterpart and the authorities. What they are protesting is not my business and it’s against the economic growth of my country, so why should I join them to protest what doesn’t favour them?” he said.

“We will not support the Senegalese. And anyone we see supporting the protest of the Senegalese drivers, whether you are a Senegalese or Gambian, we will deal with you. Therefore, we are warning the government through the ministry of finance, ministry of trade and Gambia Revenue Authority that this E-tracking is here to stay. Any authority who compromises this situation, then you are a threat to our economy.

“You collect money from other drivers of other countries in your country to escort them but you don’t want to pay money in another country. Who are you? The escort fee in Senegal is equal to 3,000 dalasis which surpasses any fee in the sub-region.   We are engaging our authorities and if this situation continues like this, we are going to fight back and stop their [Senegalese vehicles] entering our country. Tit-for-tat is a fair game, that’s my stand. We are going to face eye to eye. No country has the right to stop vehicles from other countries coming into your country without breaking the laws,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba