Shopkeepers at Serekunda Market staged a protest on Monday, demanding an end to what they described as the “unlawful occupation” of their shopfronts by street vendors. The protest disrupted market activity and brought traffic to a standstill, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The protest was not aimed at the government, but rather at the growing presence of unlicensed vendors who, according to the shopkeepers, set up stalls directly in front of their stores, especially during busy festive periods, blocking access and affecting their business.

Ndogal Sowe, a shopkeeper, said: “we will not allow this to happen. We, the shopkeepers, are the ones who pay taxes. But anytime a feast approaches, you have these vendors come and occupy the market, causing disruption to our business. We can’t even get into our shops.”

He added: “We don’t want to cause problems, we are just expressing our concerns.”

The shopkeepers argue that while they bear the financial burden of taxes and rent, vendors operate freely and sometimes more profitably, without any formal obligations. Their protest was met with resistance from the vendors, who stood their ground and refused to move.

Some vendors reportedly chanted: “we are the owners of this place,” claiming their right to sell in public spaces.

Other market users, including transport workers, voiced sympathy for the shopkeepers.

Musa Gaye, a local taxi driver, said: “what they are fighting for is true. You cannot rent a shop and pay, while others come and occupy the roads within the market. It’s unfair.”

Another vendor, Fatou Bah, expressed frustration with the market management, saying: “We don’t want wanterr (hawking). We are living from hand to mouth. It might even be better if we dissolve our market committee.”

In response to the confrontation, the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on unregulated street vending.

Sainey Sanyang, Commissioner of Operations at KMC, said: “It is in the interest of the public, that’s why we say no wanterr will be allowed within the market by vendors. They occupy the roadsides, which is very risky, especially at this moment.”

He added: “We are going by that, no wanterr will take place this time, and we are going to deploy more police. If they are allowed to do wanterr, they will block the roadsides, which will put lives at risk.”

By Adama Makasuba