By Fatou Dahaba
President Adama Barrow has issued a stern warning to human smugglers and those facilitating irregular migration, vowing to imprison anyone found guilty of organizing or aiding dangerous boat journeys to Europe.
Speaking to thousands of enthusiastic National People’s Party (NPP) supporters in Mamuda on Saturday, the president declared that even parents and relatives who fund or encourage such trips would be treated as accomplices and face prosecution.
“No smuggler will escape justice,” Barrow stated emphatically. “Anyone suspected of smuggling migrants will be sent to Mile 2 Central Prison. Parents or relatives who aid these journeys will not be spared – they will be held accountable.”
The president’s remarks come amid heightened national concern over irregular migration, often referred to locally as the “back way.” He highlighted how families frequently sell valuable assets – including land, jewelry, and other property – to finance these perilous voyages, involving not just young people but entire family networks.
Barrow referenced two recent tragedies that have shaken the nation. On December 31, a boat carrying 225 migrants capsized near Jinack Island, resulting in a desperate rescue operation. Only 90 survivors were pulled from the water, seven bodies have been recovered, and search efforts continue for the remainder. Among those on board were pregnant women, children, and even professionals such as police officers and nurses who had abandoned their posts.
Prior to that incident, another vessel carrying approximately 190 people is believed to have capsized at sea, with no confirmed survivors reported.
“No journey is worth your life,” Barrow stressed, urging Gambians to reconsider the risks. He argued that economic hardship, often cited as the driving force behind migration, is not unique to The Gambia. “If people are leaving because of hardship here, they should know it is also difficult in Europe. Life there is not always sweet.”
Drawing from his own experience living in Europe before returning home, the president painted a realistic picture of migrant struggles abroad: lack of shelter, unemployment, and life in refugee camps. “Many face real hardship – no jobs, no proper housing,” he said. “I lived in Europe, but I came back because I believed I could succeed here. Look at Mamuda – people are working hard and making money. Hard work pays off anywhere.”
Barrow described irregular migration as a national disaster that drains lives and wealth, pushing families into deeper poverty. He issued a particularly emotional appeal to parents: “If you sell your property to send your child on this journey and they die, you have contributed to their death. You have committed suicide for them and for yourselves. You are not helping your family or your country.”
The president also addressed the diplomatic fallout from The Gambia’s stance on migration. “Europe wants to deport our citizens, but we refuse to accept those deportations to stand by our people,” he explained. “Because of this, they impose sanctions – visa applications take months, and many are still denied. We pay the price for protecting our citizens, yet the blame ultimately falls on the government.”
Calling for collective action, Barrow emphasized that curbing irregular migration cannot be the government’s burden alone. “Parents must play their part. We need to work together – this is a fight for all Gambians.” He pledged to mobilize his administration for nationwide sensitization campaigns, promising to collaborate even with opposition parties. “This issue is beyond politics. These youths are our future, our hope. Why would we politicize their lives?”
In a final, direct appeal, President Barrow warned: “Gambians, stay away from the back way. It has set our country backward and brings no benefits.”
As rescue operations continue and families mourn lost loved ones, the president’s tough stance signals a potential shift toward stricter enforcement and public awareness efforts to stem the tide of irregular migration from The Gambia’s shores.
