Cameroonian transporters resumed cross-border traffic to Centrafrique on 20 October 2026. This restart of operations follows a two-week strike that began at the start of October 2026. The industrial action had halted the movement of goods between Cameroun and Centrafrique, impacting the supply chain connecting Yaoundé and Bangui. Vehicles are now moving through critical transit points including Garoua-Boulaï, Cantonnier, and Baboua. Members of the Syndicat national des transporteurs camerounais and the BGFT have returned to their routes after the period of inactivity. Norbert Niéndé, Grégoire Vongo, and Amadou Bachirou are among those involved in the transport sector coordinating the resumed transit. Operations are currently returning to their standard schedules across the border corridor.
Impact of the Strike
More than 300 tanker trucks were immobilized at the border throughout the two-week strike. This accumulation of vehicles caused significant disruptions to the supply chain, as the transport sector remained paralyzed until operations resumed on 20 October 2026. The industrial action stemmed from repeated complaints regarding road harassment attributed to Central African security forces. Drivers reported these incidents as the primary factor behind the decision to suspend transit between the two nations.
Mediation between Cameroonian and Central African authorities took place in Yaoundé during the week of 20 October 2026. These talks aimed to address the grievances of the transporters and establish protocols for safer movement along the corridor. Grégoire Vongo, governor of the East region of Cameroun, described the outcome of these discussions. "Le ministre camerounais des Transports m’a chargé de venir ici, accompagné du président du BGFT, pour communiquer ces décisions aux transporteurs. Ces décisions ont été favorablement accueillies et les transporteurs se sont engagés à reprendre leurs activités sans délai," stated Grégoire Vongo.
Amadou Bachirou, coordinator of the plateau for the Syndicat national des transporteurs camerounais, confirmed that the government provided guarantees to resolve the security concerns. "Elles ont apporté des assurances fermes quant à la sécurité des conducteurs camerounais en territoire centrafricain, qui constituera désormais l’une des priorités. C’est dans ce contexte que le gouverneur de la région de l’Est est venu nous rassurer, au nom du gouvernement camerounais, sur les engagements pris à Yaoundé," said Amadou Bachirou.
Norbert Niéndé, sous-préfet de Baboua, emphasized the broader diplomatic efforts to normalize relations and stabilize the transport route. "Ce qu’il faut retenir, c’est l’excellente relation multiforme qui existe depuis longtemps entre la République centrafricaine et le Cameroun. Nous nous inscrivons dans cette dynamique et souhaitons que les choses reprennent leur cours normal. Comme l’a souligné le gouverneur, cette situation a eu des conséquences négatives de part et d’autre, aussi bien en République centrafricaine qu’au Cameroun," noted Norbert Niéndé.
