Truckers’Strike Halts Traffic on Cameroon’s National Highway 1 Yaoundé, Cameroon — A truckers’strike has caused significant disruptions along Cameroon’s National Highway 1, a key trade route connecting the country to neighboring Chad and the Central African Republic.
The strike, which began in the Adamaoua region near Meiganga, has led to hundreds of trucks being stranded for five days.
According to local reports, the immediate cause of the protest was an incident where a gendarme slapped a truck driver outside of Meiganga.
This incident served as a catalyst for the ongoing frustration among truckers over repeated harassment and unfulfilled promises by authorities.
The Cameroonian government, through the Ministry of Transport, had promised to ease the pressure on drivers, including suspending several checkpoints deemed excessive and corrupt by industry stakeholders.
The strike led to a five — day blockade along National Highway 1, with witnesses reporting that hundreds of vehicles lined the road for nearly 10 kilometers.
Despite negotiations led by local authorities failing to resolve the standoff, a forceful military intervention cleared the road overnight from Saturday, December 6, to Sunday, December 7, causing some damage. Traffic has since gradually resumed, although some trucks remain parked, and tensions remain high.
The government has not yet commented on the situation, but regional officials confirmed the military intervention and the subsequent resumption of traffic.
Sources close to the matter said that the standoff has highlighted deeper issues within the transportation sector, including corruption and the need for better regulation. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 2*
