Carnet is now required for Senegal?

[saharanadventurer]

Just read in another post here that a carnet de passage might now be required in Senegal for vehicles older than 5 years. So I did some googling and found another post stating the same thing: that the carnet has not been required for a few years but that the rules were changed in July this year.

Anyone has more information? I intended to drive through Mauritania, Senegal and into Mali and leave my car there, but if this is true I might have to cancel my trip altogether.

Trying to be creative, I remember that the carnet used to only be required at the north border in Senegal. And the other post on this board mentioned being escorted from the north border to Gambia for 220 euro. If the carnet is still not required at the Gambia/Senegal border, would it work to be escorted to Gambia, then drive through Gambia, reenter Senegal on the other side, now without an escort, and drive to Mali?

Any advice VERY welcome!!