On the border between Niger and Benin, a worrying situation affects truck drivers. About 6,000 of them are currently blocked, due to sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the coup in Niamey last July. Daouda Bamba, Secretary General of the Union of West African Truck Drivers, testifies to the impact of this situation.
The closure of the borders has had a strong impact on the road transport sector, particularly in Niger, which depends largely on the import of goods via the port of Cotonou, in Benin. The consequences are felt with nearly 900 heavy goods vehicles immobilized in Malanville, on the Benin side, and around 500 in Gaya, on the Niger side. Road hauliers deplore the difficult working conditions and the considerable financial losses caused by this situation.
Daouda Bamba underlines that it is the road drivers who suffer the most from this affair. Indeed, as long as their trucks remain immobilized, they cannot be remunerated, thus generating a significant financial loss. In addition, these drivers face precarious living conditions, living in unsanitary spaces, exposed to mosquitoes, far from their families. This situation affects nearly 6,000 people who find themselves in total insecurity.
In addition to the consequences for road drivers, the situation also has an impact on the goods transported. Perishable products, such as rice, onions or fuel, risk spoiling in the trailers of immobilized trucks. This generates additional losses for companies in the sector and contributes to the already existing economic crisis.
It is important to emphasize that road drivers stranded at the border between Niger and Benin do not benefit from any compensation from ECOWAS, the international community or the countries concerned. This situation highlights the difficulties faced by road transport workers and raises the question of the need for accompanying measures when implementing economic sanctions.
In conclusion, the situation of truck drivers stranded at the border between Niger and Benin is worrying. In addition to considerable financial losses, these workers face precarious living conditions and growing insecurity. It is imperative that solutions are quickly found to ensure their safety and minimize the economic losses resulting from this situation