Bribery and corruption.
I've recently returned from a 2 month solo motorbike trip to Timbuktu and back visiting Spain, Morocco,Western Sahara,Mauretania,Mali and Senegal.I found the majority of police, customs and other officials, like the general population, helpful and friendly and at no time was pressured into paying bribes or fines for invented infractions. I was asked occasionally for a gift but always politely made my excuses and wasn't pressed further.I always made a point of shaking hands with any officials I met and found a smile and a few words of (bad) French usually got a friendly reply. I met with indifference rarely and hostility never. Occasionally,principally at borders,the persistent attentions of would be guides and helpers became tiresome but it was never more than an irritation and when I saw other travellers taking a 'robust' line with officials or 'guides' the result was usually their own inconvenience.
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