Senegal drivers’ strike paralyzes traffic

A three-day transport sector action has disrupted commuting as unions protest restrictions, corruption, and a lack of dialogue

A three-day nationwide transport strike in Senegal, launched on Monday at the call of the Federation of Road Transport Unions of Senegal (FSTRS), has disrupted mobility in Dakar, leaving residents struggling to commute.

Roads in the capital appear unusually clear due to the absence of public transport, local news agencies reported. Union leaders had decided that no transport vehicles should operate across the country. Despite the strike call, some operators have continued working, although their limited presence have failed to meet demand.

The protest movement, backed by the Senegal Road Transport Union, is rooted in long-standing grievances over sector governance and the government’s refusal to formally recognize a new union formed in February 2026.

Transport workers have also accused authorities of systemic harassment and corruption on national roads. Among their key demands is the immediate enforcement of previously agreed measures, particularly those aimed at cutting down the number of roadside checkpoints.

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Union representatives say the strike was further fueled by restrictive government policies and a breakdown in dialogue. Drivers have voiced opposition to a nighttime ban affecting certain minibuses, which they describe as unjustified.

Earlier this month, the FSTRS withdrew from talks with the government, accusing the authorities of a “frivolous approach” and procedural neglect.

Although the strike was announced in advance, the authorities introduced contingency measures. The Executive Council for Sustainable Urban Transport (CETUD) said operators including Dem Dikk, Aftu, and Dakar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) have been mobilized to maintain services and meet daily transport needs.

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Senegal has seen strikes beyond the transport sector in recent months. From December, student protests erupted at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, reaching a peak in February after delays in scholarship payments, dissatisfaction with government reforms, and allegations of police violence.