By A Special Correspondent 

Farba Senhor

Following the sudden withdrawal from service of 'WILLIS' the replacement boat of the 'Joola' and in his frantic efforts to return to normalcy, the Senegalese Transport Minister Farba Senghor called up an emergency meeting on Friday 24th August, of transport owners, Union leaders and other affected parties to address the pressing issue of providing a transport link between Dakar and Ziquinchor.   In attendance was also His Excellency, High Commissioner of The Gambia to Senegal Gibril Joof.

 
Transport Minister Senghore, a protégé of President Wade who enjoys his confidence, expressed his determination to resolve this 'perennial ' problem of what is referred to in Senegal as the 'enslavement' of Casamance because of the irregular, unreliable and often interrupted transportation of goods and persons from Dakar to Ziguinchor.  The latest episode to have triggered his call to action was the cessation of operation of the 'Willis' purportedly for technical reasons.
 
At the meeting, Minister Farba Senghore announced that the Government of Senegal intends to put into immediate service 100 minibuses, 45 'transport en commun' and 4 buses (148 vehicles).  The sheer number of vehicles being proposed by the Senegalese Minister was sufficient reason to get High Commissioner Joof questioned aloud the numbers involved because according to High Commissioner Joof, the numbers are of concern to Banjul for security reasons. His reaction brought about a spontaneous bust of laughter from the predominantly Senegalese audience who expressed fear that The Gambian authorities will not make access to the Trans-Gambia facilities at Farafenni an easy venture. 
 
Farba Senghore quickly proceeded with his presentation; completely ignoring the concerns raised by Ambassador Joof, leading many to believe that showdown at Farafenni is imminent. Apart from ignoring the High Commissioner, Transport Minister Senghore proceeded to assure transport owners, drivers and Union leaders who expressed concern about their safety that 'security measures will be reinforced in collaboration with the French security forces based in Senegal, the national army and police'. 
 
Some senior officials of the Senegalese government have raised concerns immediately because Minister Farba Senghore is considered not only a close and influential ally of President Wade, he is also considered as someone who does not mince his words.  He is frank, direct and follows through on his decisions.  He has given all parties until next week Wednesday to consider his proposals to put more vehicles on the road to Ziguinchor because he intends to implement his proposals Thursday, 30th August 2007.  We will wait and see.  
 
Meanwhile, information reaching us is that the High Commissioner has informed Banjul of the eminent danger posed by Senegal's decision to put more transport vehicles on the Trans-Gambia and this has led to orders from Kanilai to redeploy troops to Farafenni.