The Foreign Minister, Dr. Momodou Tangara, has said the Gambia government has no interest in the deportation of Gambians.
Currently, Banjul is facing heightened domestic pressures as Gambian asylum seekers continue to be ejected from the federal territory of Germany.
Gambian migrants face deportation threats in other EU countries.
Last Tuesday, foreign minister Tangara received a delegation from the Concerned Gambian Youth Network at the Ministry’s HQ in Banjul.
The raison detre of the courtesy visit on Dr. Tangara and foreign ministry officials was to discuss migration-related issues. Concerns about Gambians in the Diaspora, especially in Germany, Turkey, and Italy were discussed. Other issues such as “misconceptions and misinformation” on social media about migration were also discussed.
After expressing delight in receiving his guests, the foreign minister stressed that the improvement of the welfare of Gambians abroad remains uppermost in his ministry’s priorities.
He said the Gambia government has no interest in the deportation of Gambians.
“We have no interest in facilitating the deportation of our nationals, considering the support they are giving their families through remittances,”FM Tangara underlined.
He, however, encouraged the Concerned Gambian Youth Network to collaborate with the government to support the bolstering of awareness of the youth about the dangers of irregular migration to Europe.
“More sensitization is needed for people to be aware of the dangers crossing the desert or the Mediterranean Sea,” he emphasized.
He recognized the role and impact such youth organizations can play and make in raising awareness and changing the “wrong perceptions” about irregular migration.
He reiterated the current efforts by the government in finalizing the signing of bilateral labour agreements with countries such as Spain and Italy to allow Gambians to travel to Europe for seasonal employment.
Dr. Tangara disclosed that he will lead a delegation of NAMs and representatives of Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) to Germany in October this year to discuss the plight and integration of Gambian migrants in the federal territory.
The Director of Diaspora and Migration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Musa Camara, commended the network for the visit to gather first-hand information about the welfare of Gambians abroad.
He stressed that “this engagement” will give them an opportunity to appreciate what the government is doing and their understanding of the processes of migration, especially regarding return, readmission, and reintegration. He said their understanding of these issues will be enhanced by the visit.
Ms. Aji Njie, who led the delegation to the foreign ministry, thanked the foreign minister and team for welcoming and giving them the opportunity to clarify some “misinformation” and also to discuss ways in helping Gambian migrants in distress and need.
The delegation meanwhile sought support from the government to facilitate more opportunities and help returnees with more sustainable reintegration assistance. Most of the returnees, the delegation said, already have skills.
