The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad (MoFA), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), yesterday concluded its nationwide series of Regional Consultations on Missing Migrants in Kerewan, North Bank Region (NBR).
The consultations, which were conducted across the West Coast Region, Lower River Region, Central River Region, Upper River Region, and North Bank Region, brought together government institutions, security services, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, community representatives, and development partners to examine the challenges surrounding missing migrant cases and identify practical approaches to strengthening national responses.
The Director of Diaspora and Migration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Ndumbeh Saho, used the occasion to engage directly with families of missing migrants, assuring them of the Government’s continued commitment to investigating cases of missing migrants, protecting the rights and dignity of affected families, and providing the necessary support and assistance in their search for answers.
The Governor of the North Bank Region, Mr. Lamin Saidykhan, welcomed participants and commended the initiative for creating a platform that enables communities and institutions to contribute directly to discussions on migration-related challenges. He encouraged continued cooperation among stakeholders and underscored the important role of communities in supporting awareness-raising, reporting, and local engagement efforts.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ministry, Mr. Abubacarr Ceesay, Counsellor, reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to addressing the issue through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. He noted that the consultations form part of broader efforts to strengthen national coordination, improve case management processes, and ensure that the experiences and concerns of affected families are reflected in ongoing policy and programme interventions.
Speaking on behalf of IOM, Mr. Ousman George Badjie, National Programme Officer, highlighted the humanitarian dimensions of missing migrant cases, noting that behind every disappearance are families and communities living with uncertainty and unanswered questions. He stressed the importance of collaboration, evidence generation, and sustained stakeholder engagement in supporting prevention efforts, tracing mechanisms, and assistance for affected families.
Throughout the consultations, participants exchanged experiences, identified existing challenges, and proposed recommendations aimed at improving information-sharing, strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing support services for affected families, and promoting greater community participation in addressing missing migrant cases.
The recommendations generated from the five regional consultations will contribute to ongoing national efforts to develop a more coordinated, inclusive, and people-centred response to the issue of missing migrants in The Gambia
