- Advertisement - By: Alieu Jallow The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Thursday, February 6, 2025, is convening a day-long workshop titled “Enhancing Collaboration and Coordination Among Government Agencies, CSOs, and Humanitarian Actors Involved in Migration-Related Activities.” The event aims to bolster The Gambia’s resilience to climate shocks and address the root causes of internal and irregular migration. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of NDMA Executive Director Madam Binta Sey Jadama, Acting Administrative Director emphasized the critical need for a unified approach: “Building resilience against climate-induced challenges requires a collaborative effort,” she stated, citing that as an agency, they have witnessed firsthand the struggles of communities displaced by floods, droughts, and environmental degradation. - Advertisement - As The Gambia continues to face the challenges posed by climate change, such collaborative efforts are essential in building a resilient society capable of withstanding environmental shocks and minimizing forced migration.

- Advertisement - By: Alieu Jallow The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Thursday, February 6, 2025, is convening a day-long workshop titled “Enhancing Collaboration and Coordination Among Government Agencies, CSOs, and Humanitarian Actors Involved in Migration-Related Activities.” The event aims to bolster The Gambia’s resilience to climate shocks and address the root causes of internal and irregular migration. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of NDMA Executive Director Madam Binta Sey Jadama, Acting Administrative Director emphasized the critical need for a unified approach: “Building resilience against climate-induced challenges requires a collaborative effort,” she stated, citing that as an agency, they have witnessed firsthand the struggles of communities displaced by floods, droughts, and environmental degradation. - Advertisement - As The Gambia continues to face the challenges posed by climate change, such collaborative efforts are essential in building a resilient society capable of withstanding environmental shocks and minimizing forced migration.

A recent agreement between The Gambia and Spain, allowing for legal migration of 50 Gambian labourers to Spain, has sparked controversy. Critics argue that the Gambian government has failed to create sufficient domestic job opportunities, leading to dissatisfaction among citizens. Meanwhile, activist Yahya Sonko has accused the government of a lack of transparency regarding the agreement, leading to confusion and unrealistic expectations among the youth.

The Republic of Gambia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Spain to recruit Gambians for work in Spain, with the Gambia government starting the distribution of application forms. The applicants must be Gambian nationals aged between 25 and 50, with a valid passport and experience in agriculture, particularly fruit picking and handling. The final selection will be determined through an interview process involving the Spanish Office of Labour, Migration and Social Security officials, the Spanish Embassy in The Gambia, and the Spanish employer.

The wife of former NPP now UDP member, Mbemba Drammeh, was arrested and released on bail by the Gambia Immigration Department. This follows Drammeh's arrest in December for alleged election rigging in favor of President Adama Barrow, after which he secretly returned to France. The court has issued a warrant for Drammeh's arrest for failing to appear in court to answer charges of seditious intent.

The political climate in Germany is becoming increasingly challenging for migrants, including over 30,000 Gambians, due to the rising popularity of the far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD). The party, known for its anti-migrant stance, has recently distributed around 30,000 counterfeit "deportation" tickets, sparking nationwide outrage and comparisons to Nazi-era practices. Gambian migrant activist in Germany, Yahya Sonko, warns that the growing support for AfD could lead to stricter residency requirements and an increased risk of deportation for immigrant communities.

Italy's offshoring scheme for refugees, which includes Gambians, has been criticized by international human rights bodies. The government of Giorgia Meloni recently passed a decree stating that individuals from countries deemed "safe," including The Gambia, cannot be granted political asylum. Despite this, an official has confirmed that the fundamental rights of any Gambian with a genuine claim will be respected under the 1951 Geneva Convention on the protection of refugees.

Relevant: As of November 24, 2024, 1,035 Gambian nationals are on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) non-detained docket with final orders of removal. The Gambia has been classified as a country “at risk of non-compliance” with U.S. removal efforts, indicating potential delays in confirming citizenship, issuing travel documents, or accepting repatriation flights to The Gambia.

In 2024, over 1600 Gambians tragically lost their lives while attempting to migrate to Europe irregularly, with the majority perishing at sea. The government is urged to address the underlying factors driving this dangerous trend, such as lack of opportunities and skills training for young people. Urgent action is needed to stem the flow of migration and save lives.