The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad says the Gambian Embassy has informed the Foreign Ministry that five Gambian nationals were intercepted and detained by the Mauritanian authorities since 27th October 2022, and that all necessary arrangements are currently being worked out to secure their release and sub-sequent repatriation. This information was contained in a press release by the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Further in the release the Ministry informed the general public that fourteen Gambian nationals were earlier intercepted and detained by the Mauritanian authorities for embarking on irregular migration. “Following notification to The Gambian Embassy in Nouakchott, they provided the migrants with needed logistics and support while in detention until their deportation to The Gambia on 20th October 2022”.
However, the authorities indicated, on their way to The Gambia, 12 of the migrants disembarked the bus and disappeared in Senegal. The two that decided to return were provided with humanitarian assistance and protection services at the Gambian border post in Amdalai.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures the general public that it will continue to work with all stakeholders including the Gambia Immigration Department, the International Organisation for Migration and The Gambia Red Cross Society to provide consular, humanitarian and protection services to Gambian migrants.
