By Awa Sowe
Ensuring the safety and security of citizens in a foreign land is crucial for international relations to function. In consideration of this, the Gambian Embassy in Moscow has recently secured the release of five Gambians de-tained in a Russian detention centre.
The Deputy Head of Mission, Retired General Lang Tombong Tamba and consellor Habiboulie K Jawo, successfully ne-gotiated the release of the five Gambians from a Russian immigration detention centre on May 15, 2024. The five al-legedly overstayed their tourist visitor visas they obtained from Qatar.
Demonstrating their untiring commitment to the welfare of their fellow citizens, General Tamba and Hon. Jawo safe-guarded not only the release of these Gambians but also secured a 15-day grace period for them to leave Russia and also provided essential assistance, including arranging accommodations, providing food, and even offering financial support to help them during this challenging time.
This is not the first instance in which these diplomats have intervened to secure the freedom of Gambians facing im-migration-related issues in Russia. Earlier this year, they successfully coordinated the release of over 25 Gambians who had been detained after their accommodations were raided following a terrorist attack in Moscow.
Many of these individuals had overstayed their visas and were working without proper documentation. Despite the severe immigration penalties in Russia, General Tamba and Hon. Jawo have consistently managed to navigate the legal obstacles and ensure the freedom of their compatriots.
Their tireless efforts have not only secured the release of Gambians but also provided them with the opportunity to regularise their status or make arrangements to leave the country. The series of events highlights the vital role played by diplomatic intervention in protecting the rights and well-being of foreign nationals, particularly those facing chal-lenging circumstances.
General Tamba and Hon. Jawo serve as ideals of the diplomatic community, bridging the gap between their home country and the host nation to ensure the safety and security of their fellow Gambians.
