Senegalese Transporters' Strike Ends: A Recurring Show of Force Against the State

In Senegal, the power of transporters to dictate terms to the state has been starkly demonstrated once again. Following a ten-day strike, these powerful unions have emerged victorious, securing concessions from the government and reinforcing their conviction that they hold the reins of public transport. While they may not have achieved all their objectives, the partial victory is enough to fuel their confidence and perpetuate the cycle of confrontation.

The article posits that the state's repeated capitulations to the transporters' demands have fostered a sense of impunity. This has led some transporters to operate with a disregard for basic rules, viewing the roads as their own domain where immediate profitability reigns supreme. The involvement of the head of state himself in resolving this latest crisis only serves to further solidify the transporters' belief in their indispensability and their capacity to disrupt the nation.

This situation is exacerbated by the perceived political ambitions of some union leaders, who see these strikes as opportunities to rally support ahead of upcoming elections. The article points to a radical union leader's assertion that transporters can achieve anything they desire in Senegal if united, suggesting a clear political undertone to their actions. This demonstration of force highlights the urgent need for the government to fundamentally rethink its approach to public transport governance.

The author argues that public transport, akin to essential services like electricity and water, should be treated as critical infrastructure. It cannot be left to the whims of private actors, many of whom operate in the informal sector and resist any attempts at professionalization. The article suggests two paths forward: either strengthen public transport services while supporting the emergence of modern private operators, or continue down the path of concessions, which has proven unsustainable. The former, though challenging, is presented as the only viable long-term solution to practices that belong to a bygone era.

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les transporteurs peuvent tout obtenir dans ce pays, pourvu qu’ils soient unis.