By: Fatoumatta Krubally
On the evening of November 11, 2024, a police operation at the Coastal Road Market resulted in the arrest of several street vendors, leaving many expressing their challenges and disappointments as their livelihoods hang in the balance.
Ousman Njie, a street seller who operates a shoe business from a wheelbarrow, shared his struggles, stating, “It is very hard for us. From this market, I take care of myself and my family. If we are chased away, it will be very difficult to make enough sales, as this is the crowded place where we find customers.”
His words reflect the harsh reality faced by many vendors whose daily income is vital for their families’ survival.
Mariama Njie, a vendor selling Ebbeh, recounted her harrowing experience during the police raid.
“I had to run and hide with my Ebbeh inside the market to avoid being chased by the police officers,” she explained. As a single mother, she emphasized the importance of her work as she feed her children and pay their school fees from her sales.
‘’If I am denied the chance to sell here, it will be very difficult for me to make a profit and take care of my family. This is my only source of income; I do not have any other job,’’ she stated.
Eyewitness to the scene, Nyima Ndure, expressed her concern for the vendors, stating, “I’m not a seller, but what I saw was very heart-touching. Watching our young people, who are just trying to put food on their tables, being arrested with their belongings in the back of a police car is heartbreaking.”
She added that the authorities should have allowed the vendors to keep their belongings, noting, “When they come back, they need to pay transport fees to retrieve their items, which adds another financial burden.”
Nyima said she also witnessed a distressing incident during the crackdown.
“I saw a policeman beating a boy who refused to comply. The boy wanted to run away and he was mercilessly beaten by the police. I’m afraid for the boy’s life,” she said, highlighting the potential dangers faced by the vendors during such confrontations.
Lamarana Bah, a driver passing by the scene, shared his perspective on the situation. He said those people are trying to find something to eat as they don’t want to steal. But some of the sellers and buyers really disrupt traffic.
“It is challenging to pass through that area at times,” he commented, acknowledging the complexities of the situation.
As the community grapples with the implications of the police action, the voices of the vendors and witnesses underscore the need for a balanced approach that considers the livelihoods of those who rely on street vending as their primary source of income. The events at Coastal Road Market serve as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many in pursuit of a better life.
