Senegalese Truckers Stranded in Sahara Desert as Mauritania Closes Border

These transporters are used to trading with Morocco by transiting through the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott. Blocked in the middle of the desert in the Sahara, it is impossible for them to reach Senegal by land. Mor Sall Drame, spokesperson for a group of 16 Senegalese transporters, presents the situation.

"We are really tired. The Senegalese government is doing nothing to help us. I came to Casablanca on March 3. I stayed there a few days. The time to sell my goods and take others for Senegal. I left Casablanca on March 15," he says.

"When we went to the border on March 19, the borders were already closed. Some Senegalese were even stuck in no man’s land between Morocco and Mauritania. We had to demonstrate so that the Senegalese authorities intervene and escort our brothers to Senegal," explains the Senegalese transporter.

"But we who remained blocked on the Moroccan side, we did not have this chance. We had to come back to Dakhla. We called the Senegalese embassy and the consulate to help us, but to no avail," he continues, specifying that they are about sixty to be blocked there. "The government has abandoned us. We want to go home. We have no more money. Our goods are rotting in the sun," he laments.

"As soon as we were informed, we proceeded through the Consul General in Casablanca to conduct a census to provide them with assistance and assistance. Since March 22, some have been taken care of quite quickly by Morocco and others by the Senegalese Consulate General in Casablanca," declares Moïse Sarr, Secretary of State for Senegalese Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to Observers of France 24.

"Moreover, we have also given them the possibility of being repatriated by plane, as was done on March 21 for Senegalese in Casablanca and as is being done since May 12 for those in France. But they declined the offer saying they have cars and goods. And that they prefer to take the road. Which is not currently possible because, to come to Senegal, you have to cross Mauritania, which is a sovereign country that has decided to close its borders," he adds.

"However, they have been taken care of while waiting for an agreement to be reached with the Mauritanian authorities," reassures Moïse Sarr.