The Spain-Gambia Circular Migration Agreement, designed to offer employment opportunities for Gambian youths in Spain, is being scrutinized due to concerns over the Gambian government’s transparency.
While Spain has been clear about the program’s structure, many Gambian youths remain unaware of critical details, leading to confusion and unrealistic expectations.
Yahya Sonko, Co-Founder of the Gambia European Center for Jobs, Migration, and Development Agency in Stuttgart, expressed concerns about the government’s failure to communicate the program’s limitations adequately.
“From the get-go, Spain was very clear on how this deal should be and the modalities. The Spanish Embassy’s publication alerted Gambian citizens to fraudulent agencies charging large sums of money. Only then did the Gambian government and its technocrats begin to address the issue in the media,” Sonko noted.
He also criticized the lack of clarity regarding the number of participants allowed under the agreement.
“We all saw pictures and videos of young Gambians struggling at the Ministry of Trade to submit their applications. Yet, it remains unclear to these hundreds of youths that, since last year, Spain’s government, through its embassy in The Gambia, informed the Gambian government that the deal would allow only 50 Gambians. I am surprised why the Gambian government has not publicly stated this in any of their interviews or publications about the deal.”
As the agreement continues to be implemented, Sonko calls for greater transparency and clearer communication to ensure that Gambian youths have accurate information about the migration program’s opportunities and limitations.
“Most of these youths believe the government and Spain are offering opportunities to thousands of Gambians. If they knew the actual number that Spain agreed to, they might lower their expectations,” Sonko explained. He emphasized the importance of proper planning to avoid potential failures.
The agreement is seen as a promising opportunity for meaningful employment and strengthened bilateral relations between Spain and Gambia. However, Sonko stressed that its success hinges on the Gambian government taking proactive measures.
“By ensuring transparency, safeguarding participants’ rights, and upholding the integrity of the program, we can turn this agreement into a model for successful international cooperation in migration,” he added.
Sonko underscores the urgent need for more transparent communication from Gambian authorities. He said this would help manage expectations realistically and ensure that opportunities are distributed fairly among the youth, thereby maximizing the potential benefits of the migration agreement.
