By Amadou Manjang
The Gambia Government is working with partners to repatriate stranded Gambians in Tunisia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mamadou Tangara told lawmakers on Wednesday, 18 December 2024.
‘We are engaging donor partners like IOM to repatriate…. We have been working with them in the past,’ he said
He made this remark after being asked by Almameh Gibba, National Assembly member for Foni Kansala Constituency, what the government is doing to help stranded Gambians in Tunisia.
According to the Minister, they are working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to help the stranded migrants because the government does not have the funds to do it alone.
He further added that the Gambian Embassy in Morocco has already visited the stranded Gambian in Tunisia.
In response to the Kiang West representative’s question on the government’s efforts to help stranded Gambians in North Africa. The Minister said they are providing emergency assistance and reducing the challenges faced by Gambian migrants in North Africa.
He further said the Gambian Diplomatic Mission is actively involved in providing a wide range of consular services and humanitarian support to Gambian nationals. He said with their partners, they are provided with humanitarian services such as temporary shelter, food, and medical support to Gambians facing difficult situations. He said they also issued emergency travel documents to stranded Gambians and those seeking to return.
According to the Minister, the embassy frequently visited detention centers to assess detention conditions. He said they collaborate with the government for the repatriation of Gambians, especially people eligible for return and reintegration.
