The northern corniche of Conakry, known for its narrow roads that wind through the upscale neighborhoods of the upper suburbs, is unfortunately also famous for something else: excessive police road checks. At every intersection, at every turn, motorists find themselves confronted by crooked traffic police officers who seem more interested in your wallet than your safety.
In a street in Conakry (Photo illustration) ©SIA KAMBOU/AFP
False checks to extract money
Motorists who use the northern corniche of Conakry are familiar with this well-rehearsed scenario. You are leisurely driving, enjoying the “magnificent” view and sometimes zigzagging to avoid potholes, when suddenly you see a traffic police officer signaling you to stop. You comply, thinking it’s just a routine check. My God, you have fallen into the trap!
But once you stop, you realize that this check is anything but routine. Police officers intimidate you, ask for your documents, inspect your vehicle excessively and ask you unnecessary questions. All this in order to extract money from you. If all your papers are in order then they pretend to pamper you, le “Sanakouya”* : give us the price of water! And unfortunately for you who don’t have all your papers, these are fines that will end up in their pockets!
These bogus checks have become commonplace on the northern Corniche, and motorists have had enough. Not only does this create unnecessary delays, but it also fuels corruption and injustice in society.
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Road corruption: a threat to security
In addition to the financial aspect, these shady road checks also pose a security problem. Motorists are often distracted by these incessant checks, which can lead to accidents and endanger the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Additionally, police officers who engage in these corrupt practices divert resources and attention from real road safety issues. Instead of focusing on preventing accidents and fighting serious crimes, they focus on extorting money from poor, innocent drivers in Conakry.
They are often the first to disrespect the laws, disregarding their own safety, as we see in this image:
In this photo, we see two policewomen overloaded on a motorcycle on the northern corniche of Conakry
A necessary solution
It is high time that the authorities take measures to put an end to this road tyranny on the northern corniche of Conakry and on the other roads of the city. Steps must be taken to eliminate corruption within the traffic police and to ensure that roadside checks are only carried out with the aim of ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers.
It is also essential to increase public awareness of their rights and how to respond to such abusive controls. Motorists must be informed of their rights and the procedure to follow in the event of an unfair or corrupt traffic stop.
Finally, it is crucial to strengthen the supervision and accountability of police officers. Allegations of corruption must be thoroughly investigated and guilty officials punished appropriately.
The northern Corniche of Conakry is an important route used by many motorists in the city, and it is time to free it from the tyranny of crooked road checks. It is time to return this “beautiful” road to its tranquility and safety, for the good of all motorists and residents of Conakry. Amen!
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