Truckers' strike paralyzes Cameroon’s main trade route

Significant transportation disruptions have occurred due to a truckers' strike impacting National Highway 1 in Cameroon.

The strike is concentrated in the Adamaoua region, particularly near Meiganga. This has resulted in the stranding of hundreds of trucks that were en route to northern Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic for five days.

The truck drivers initiated the protest in response to alleged harassment along the highway. A specific incident involving a gendarme and a truck driver near Meiganga served as the catalyst for the strike.

The situation has brought attention to previous unfulfilled commitments by the Cameroonian government, made through the Ministry of Transport. These commitments included promises to alleviate pressure on drivers by reducing checkpoints deemed excessive and corrupt.

The strike involved a blockade of National Highway 1, with vehicles lined up for approximately 10 kilometers. Although negotiations by local authorities did not initially resolve the situation, a military intervention cleared the road overnight from Sat, Dec 6, to Sun, Dec 7. While traffic has started to resume, tensions remain elevated, and some vehicles are still stationary.

Based on reporting by Africanews.