Resolution of the Crisis of Moroccan Trucks in Conakry, Guinea: Release of Two Trucks and Anticipation for the Third
Diplomatic interventions and financial settlements have resolved the crisis of Moroccan trucks detained in Conakry, Guinea, for over three months, following the actual release of two trucks and their return to the homeland, with the third truck expected to be released soon in the coming days. This resolution marks the end of the repercussions of a complex trade dispute between Guinean importers and a Moroccan export company accused of “fraud.”
Sources from the transporting Moroccan company have confirmed that the two released trucks arrived at the Karakrat border crossing about a week ago, thanks to the effective intervention of the Moroccan embassy in Conakry, which provided crucial guarantees, alongside reaching financial settlements to compensate the Guinean party. Regarding the third truck that remains stuck, the same sources clarified that its release is imminent, noting that an agreement has been made to send a replacement truck loaded with a shipment of oranges as direct compensation to the Guinean side for the losses incurred due to the exporting company’s breach of its commitments.
Legally, the affected transporting company has taken the battle to court, where the criminal court in Casablanca continues to hear a lawsuit filed against the exporting company, which includes explicit accusations of “fraud, deception, and breach of trust.” The roots of this dispute trace back to a contract made by three Guinean companies with their Moroccan counterpart to supply goods via five trucks. Although the Guineans had paid the full value of the transactions in advance, the importers were surprised by serious violations in the received shipments, prompting them to seize some trucks as a means of pressure to recover their rights.
In a related context, sources have denied claims circulated by union bodies regarding the “captivity” of the drivers as hostages, clarifying that they were not subjected to any restrictions of their freedom but chose to remain voluntarily alongside their trucks to protect them and wait for the crisis to resolve, noting that one of them had previously returned to the homeland of his own accord.
