A campaign has been launched to halt the deportation of a Gambian DJ who has lived in Malta for 18 years, with organizations and prominent figures urging the government to let him regularise his status.
Yusupha Dibassey, known as DJ Dollarino, was detained on 10 August after reporting to authorities to renew documents that had allowed him to remain and work in Malta.
Dance Beyond Borders Foundation said he had held a “Yellow Book,” issued to rejected asylum seekers, with his papers renewed roughly every three months. The foundation estimates his status was renewed around 70 times over 18 years.
He is now being asked to accept voluntary return to The Gambia, which he has so far declined.
The appeal, led by Dance Beyond Borders, has been endorsed by former president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, NGOs and people from Malta’s cultural sector who have worked with Dibassey.
In an open letter to Equality and Civil Rights Minister Rosianne Cutajar and Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield, the foundation said Dibassey arrived in Malta in 2008 aged 23 and has since built his life around friendships, work and the music scene.
The organization has known him for six years through Refugee Week Malta, where he has performed as a DJ every year and served on its advisory group for the past two years. It said his 18 years in Malta included deep community ties, particularly through music and communities in Msida and Gżira.
Although Dibassey knew his status was temporary, the foundation argued the state repeatedly allowed him to remain and work, enabling him to put down roots. It asks the government to review whether it can exercise discretion, clarify any remaining avenues of appeal and reconsideration, and give him a chance to regularise his status.
The organization also invoked Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, arguing that his length of residence, integration and personal ties should be taken into account.
The case recalls that of Kusi Dismark, an Ethiopian barber deported from Malta in 2024 after 13 years. Dismark, then 37, was arrested at his Ħamrun barber shop, detained and sent back to Ethiopia.
Dance Beyond Borders is calling for Dibassey’s removal to be halted while his circumstances and remaining legal remedies are considered.
