The Gambia Government has not put pen to any agreement with the European Union or its member states to deport its citizens, said the spokesperson of the Government Ebrima G.Sankareh.
In a statement made by Ebrima G. Sankareh, the Spokesperson of The Gambia Government stated that: “Contrary to widespread allegations trending on social media that The Gambia Government have been complicit in the planned for mass deportation of Gambian migrants from Europe.
The government of The Gambia wants to make it categorically clear that these allegations are baseless rumors being bandied by detractors seeking cheap political popularity”
The Gambia Government has neither signed any deportation memorandum nor received any monetary rewards from any European country as is being continuously alleged by these detractors.
Like all responsible governments, The Gambia Government takes the plight of its citizens very seriously and will not sit idly by witnessing the suffering of its citizens whether home or overseas.
Therefore, immediately after assuming the office of presidency in 2017, the government of President Adama Barrow engaged our allies in Europe to provide the necessary support and skills development to Gambian migrants.
To date, more than 200 young people in Germany alone have benefitted from this program. Some of them have been reintegrated in German society and making significant headways in their lives.
A similar package is extended to Gambians across Europe all of which goes to show the willingness and commitment of The Gambia Government to support our fellow citizens wherever they are.
The Gambian Government, therefore, assures the general public that it is not its policy to facilitate or support the mass deportation of its citizens. On the contrary, the government is fully committed to improving lot of its citizens and working hard to restore our longstanding diplomatic relations with European countries.
It would be recalled that three years ago, much of our relationship with these countries were severely dented and making negotiations are very difficult.
Consequently, citizens are urged to exercise restraint and be more patient as we forge ahead in this our new dispensation.
Furthermore, while the Gambian Government recognizes the rights of citizens to assemble peacefully, it wants to remind them to remain law-abiding and to always jealously guard the peace and security of our sacred motherland.
