By Ndey Sowe
The Gambia has Wednesday, 23rd December, 2020 launched the first National Migration Policy (NMP) 2020-2030, which the Government is committing itself to implement to maximize the development potential of migration and ensure full respect of all migrants.
The Government has also shown the commitment to work in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society to provide for the appropriate development of legislative structures and frameworks to support the migration policy and ensure its implementation and enforcements.
The launching ceremony was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The migration policy, which was signed by the Minister of Interior, Yankuba Sonko, will serve as a blueprint to guide migration governance in The Gambia in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2021 and guidelines provided by the African Union.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fumiko Nagano IOM Chief of Mission, said if migration is properly managed it would contribute positively to the socio-economic development of countries and communities in all stages of the migration cycle.
“The task of making migration humane and dignified has become even more pressing with the increasing complexity of the migration dynamic, evolving challenges facing migration management, and vulnerabilities migrants encounter during their journeys,” she said.
Nagano added that the migration policy comes against relatively recent major developments in migration governance, both in the African continent and at the global level.
“I will like to mention two ground- breaking initiatives that started in 2018 in this regard; the Free Movement of Persons Protocol spearheaded by the African Union and the Global Compact for Migration- both of which The Gambia took place as a sovereign state,” she revealed.
Madam Nagano highlighted that IOM Migration Governance Framework (MIGOF) also guides the development of the national migration policy.
Yankuba Sonko, the Minister of Interior, said the Government through his ministry has been working on the aforesaid policy since late 2017.
“With the collaboration and valuable support from IOM, Government of The Gambia has been able to formulate, develop and validate the policy document through multiple consultations and at least three full reviewed, including a final data review by the Gambian Bureau of Statistic (GBoS),” he said.
Minster Sonko said the Government is committed to the full protection of its citizens’ rights both in The Gambia and abroad, as well as all citizens that live on Gambian territory.
“The Government reaffirms its commitments to international and national instruments, principles and standards related to migrants,” he said.
