The Jakartaman, these heroes of the asphalt and the bumpy streets, took the road of protest, horns in hand, to remind the government that they are not just a statistic of the informal economy. In Kaolack and Ziguinchor, burning tires and noisy protests sent a clear message: when the engines roar, it’s time to listen.
The government, which wanted to “secure” these workers with registrations and insurance, seemed to believe that it was enough to paint a nice promise of road safety to calm people’s minds. But there you go, you don’t repaint a rickety motorcycle with tax varnish. For these drivers, mostly young, these measures resemble a puncture on the way up: one more obstacle on an already difficult path.
It must be recognized that imposing additional fees on those who barely earn enough to pay for their fuel, while claiming that “it is for their own good”, requires a certain amount of nerve. But maybe the government really thought it was doing the right thing. After all, what could be more noble than protecting motorcycles while discreetly stopping by the gas station to fill the state coffers? A little security for them, a little revenue for us: a great idea of balance, right?
The Jakartaman see things differently. They recall that they constitute a significant part of the electorate which allowed this government to come to power. And today, they feel betrayed. These young people had voted for a champion of the popular masses, and not for a champion of new regulations. So obviously, when the promise of change turns into additional burden, they react in their own way.
In Ziguinchor, the roads were blocked. In Kaolack, the demonstrations took on the appearance of a bad action movie. And if nothing changes, Dakar and other cities risk joining this “national tour of anger”. Perhaps the government should be reminded that the Jakartamans carry not only passengers, but also hopes. And that these hopes, today, resemble a flat tire more than a well-oiled engine.
So, what to do? Maybe it’s time to slow down a bit and take another look. A moratorium on these measures, financial incentives, or even an open dialogue with these drivers could calm the situation. Offering realistic solutions rather than constraints could transform this anger into a constructive partnership. Because at this point, even a symbolic gesture – a free helmet, why not? – could do more to calm tensions than all the justifications in the world.
In the meantime, the Jakartaman continue to drive, but with increasingly palpable anger. If the government hopes that all this will work itself out, it would do well to review its political GPS. Because, as the drivers themselves say: “A broken down motorcycle may stop, but well-fed anger never goes out.” To meditate.
Ibrahima Thiam, President of the Another Future movement
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