Senegal's ASCODEM demands Khadim Ba's release and calls taxi‑free protest

The Senegalese Association of Traders and Market Delegates (ASCODEM) convened a press conference in Dakar on 7 July 2026. It called for the immediate release of Khadim Ba, the PDG of Locafrique who has been detained for twenty months on a customs‑related charge but was cleared by an expert. ASCODEM spokesman said, “Il est inadmissible qu’une personnalité à qui l’on ne peut rien reprocher soit maintenue en prison.”

The association criticised Finance Minister Cheikh Diba and the Direction Générale des Douanes, arguing that current fiscal and customs policies “étouffent l’entreprise, découragent l’investissement et fragilisent des milliers de familles.” It demanded the clearing of internal debt owed to companies, a revision of the customs code, and a sincere dialogue with the private sector.

ASCODEM warned that, without concrete responses, it would launch “actions citoyennes, légales et pacifiques,” including a nationwide day without taxis and the threat of a general strike to paralyse the national economy.