By Yankuba Jallow
The Coalition 2016 Reconciliation Team, National Security Council and The Gambia Red Cross Society on Saturday put in place strategic ways to bring back run away refugees to the country. Several buses were placed at the entrance of all borders of the country to transport the refugees back for free.
The border points include Giboro, Darsilami, Dimbaya, and Amdalaye. They also negotiated with the Senegalese authorities to facilitate a free movement of buses far into Senegal in areas like Sileti, Ziguinchor, Sokon amongst other places for those stranded refugees who cannot afford to reach the border points.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Ousman Silllah, the head of the Coalition 2016 Reconciliation Team, expressed the need for the initiative and added that some left the country unprepared and did not plan for fleeing to Senegal. In addition, he said people left the country in haste because of fear and they have encountered some obstacles which include financial problems to return home. Hon. Samba Jallow, a member of the Coalition 2016 Reconciliation Team also expressed similar remarks.
Fatou B. Gaye, a staff of Gambia Red Cross Society highlighted the need to help children and women as they are the most vulnerable. She asserted that they have started the process by sending their members to all border points including medical personnel who will give primary health service to those who contract sickness. “We have discussed with the Rotary Club Gambia to supply them with 12000 bottles of water to be given to the refugees” explained Madam Gaye.
Furthermore, the Gambia Transport Service Corporation (G.T.S.C) also expressed their relentless to support the Initiative. Mr. Baba of the G.T.S.C said they are fully in support of the initiative and there are adequate buses that are ready to take service anytime the need arises.
The initiators are calling on all the runaway refugees to return home in the shortest possible time as there are numerous buses available to take them home free. In addition, they said the country is in peace and everything is in peace and is under control.
