Since Saturday, January 18, four Moroccan truckers, along with a Togolese and a Burkinabe, have disappeared at the border between Burkina Faso and Niger, their GPS deactivated and without any contact with the outside world. It later came to light that they had been kidnapped by terrorist groups. A long wait followed until their release yesterday evening.
Crossing border between Morocco and Mauritania
Mustapha Chaoune, president of the African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations, reports: "Our members have assured us that they have been able to regain contact with the drivers, who are now free and on their way to the Moroccan embassy in Niamey. They are in good health and in safe hands. However, the trucks are still in the hands of the kidnappers."
The syndicalist adds: "Since contact with the drivers was lost, our members in Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as Moroccan diplomats in these countries, have made great efforts to locate them, culminating in their safe release. The intervention of professional organizers was crucial".
According to the Moroccan media Hespress, the drivers' misadventure was due to non-compliance with the security instructions issued by the armed forces stationed at the border. The same source added that the drivers came from Casablanca in Morocco and were heading for Niger.
"The truck drivers who work in this area are exposed to serious risks, and their role is vital for relations between our countries and for the food security of our populations", comments Chaoune. "We are calling for appropriate measures to be taken to improve their working conditions."
Chaoune added that shipping programs from Morocco to West Africa and the Sahel countries, including fresh produce shipments, will not be affected by this incident.
According to Chaoune, discussions are underway between the African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations and the armed groups for the restitution of the trucks.
For more information:
Mustapha Chaoune
African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations
Email: [email protected]