Senegal: a difficult resumption of activities for taxis in Dakar after violence

In Dakar, activities are gradually resuming after several days of demonstrations and clashes following the conviction of opponent Ousmane Sonko on 1 June 2023. Taxis in particular have found the roads but customers are slow to return, this June 6. Report.

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A taxi in Dakar driving in front of law enforcement officials, June 6, 2023. © David Baché/RFI

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With our special envoy in Dakar, David Baché

In Senegal, no demonstrations, no clashes with the police on June 6, 2023. Economic activities remain disrupted, with many banks closed in particular. The situation is volatile, the tension remains palpable, but daily life is slowly regaining its rights. Thus, traffic has resumed, little by little, since this weekend, and this Tuesday, June 6, Dakar residents have even found the softness of traffic jams... After several days of inactivity, taxis have resumed service.

« Customers don't go out »

« 

I started work again today, this morning." It had been five days since Sidy Thiam's car had left the garage. Today, the precarious calm that reigns in Dakar allows it, but the recovery is not simple.

>> READ ALSO: Senegal: precarious calm after the violence that followed the conviction of the opponent Ousmane Sonko

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There is no work, there is no bank, there are no applications, says Sidy Thiam. Customers don't go out. Since this morning, I have had three clients. Normally it's 10 to 15. It's very, very difficult."

Sitting under a tree in front of shops, a group of drivers wait for customers. Among them, Djibril Faye does not hide his distress and anger: "We are sitting here because the situation is serious. Sit for two hours during which you don't have a single client. We don't have a job. We are resuming little by little, because people are afraid. There is no money, there is no job, because the state of Senegal does not protect Senegalese citizens. The rich are rich and the poor are poor.

The recovery, timid, is also fragile and suspended to a possible resumption of clashes. Djibril Faye's activity hangs by a thread. But the taximan understands and supports the protesters.

Taxis waiting for customers, June 6, 2023 in Dakar. © David Baché/RFI

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