The special relation that exists between Senegal and The Gambia has not been reflected in the transport sector. Over the years,, Senegalese transport operators crossing The Gambia to reach Casamance and beyond complained of the high cost of transit charges imposed on them by the Gambian authorities.
The usual response to such allegation is for the Senegalese union to introduce blockage to prevent Gambian commercial vehicles from entering Senegal. This matter has taken a new dimension as Gambian and Senegalese authorities meet to discuss key challenges between the two countries.
There is need, according to the two authorities, to revitalize the Senegalo-Gambia Secretariat so that it could address such challenges. What must be borne in mind is that the unions have always conceived themselves as non-state actors.
They therefore do act unilaterally independent of government restrictions. Hence Gambian unions should also be encouraged to have dialogue with their Senegalese counterparts so as to bring sanity to the relationship.
