German authorities are set to deport 25 Gambian migrants from Munich Airport on Tuesday evening, marking the eighth chartered deportation flight to The Gambia in 2025 alone.
Migration and human rights Advocate, Ebrima Drammeh, announced the development, stating that the individuals are currently detained at the airport awaiting departure to Banjul. The group plans to track the flight and provide real-time updates upon landing.
This latest operation highlights Germany’s intensified efforts to return rejected asylum seekers and undocumented migrants, particularly from West Africa. Despite public outcry over human rights implications and the challenges faced by returnees, deportations have persisted under bilateral agreements between Germany and The Gambia.
Ebrima Migrant Situation, a prominent migration and human rights advocacy network led by activist Ebrima Drammeh, issued the alert to raise awareness. “If carried out, this will underscore the persistence of this operation despite growing public concern and the difficult circumstances faced by many returnees,” the group stated. They emphasized the humanitarian toll, noting that deportees often arrive without adequate support in a country grappling with economic hardships and limited reintegration resources.
Germany has emerged as a key player in EU migration enforcement, deporting thousands annually. In the first quarter of 2025, over 6,000 individuals were removed from the country, a 28% increase from the previous year.
Gambians form a significant portion due to high asylum rejection rates and historical migration patterns driven by economic opportunities in Europe.
Charter flights to Banjul resumed post-COVID, with earlier 2025 deportations including operations in April (Frankfurt), May, and July (Munich).
Activists report at least 75 Gambians deported via charters up to mid-2025, though total returns—including scheduled flights—exceed hundreds.
Over 10,000 Gambians face potential deportation across the EU, with more than 4,000 in Germany’s Baden-Württemberg region alone holding rejected claims.
Munich Airport is expanding its deportation infrastructure, planning a dedicated two-story terminal by 2027 to handle up to 100 returns daily and clear a backlog of 24,000 in Bavaria.
This reflects broader policy shifts under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, prioritizing removals amid public pressure on welfare and integration.
Critics, including human rights groups, argue these actions violate dignity, citing cases of forced returns despite health issues or family ties.
Returnees often face stigma, unemployment, and mental health crises in The Gambia, where reintegration programs lag.
As the flight prepares for takeoff, advocates call for international scrutiny and compassionate policies. Drammeh urges global support: “We will track this flight up to Banjul and give updates.”
The operation underscores ongoing tensions in Europe-Africa migration dynamics, with no signs of abatement.
