By Ramatoulie Jawo
For the second time in a year, the community of Bakau has experienced the tragic loss of more than a dozen youths through the perilous journey known as the Back Way. These young people, including women and children, were attempting the dangerous journey in search of greener pastures.
Last November, many communities in The Gambia, including Bakau, were devastated by the loss of promising young people, some of whom were the breadwinners of their families. This journey is often seen as a last hope for many seeking better opportunities in Europe, but it has claimed many lives, leaving heartbreaking consequences.
In light of this, Kerr Fatou visited Bakau Jaiteh Kunda, where four family members recently lost their lives. Sambou Jaiteh, the head of Jaiteh Kunda, expressed his deep sorrow after hearing about the deaths of his grandchildren and in-law while he was away.
“I lost my son’s wife, Tida Jaiteh, whose husband is in Italy. I also lost my adopted daughter, Binta Manneh, and two of my grandsons, Faburama Gassama and Lamin Jaiteh. All four lost their lives on this journey. I am deeply saddened, but I accept that this is God’s will and hope that Allah grants them the highest place in Jannah,” he explained.
The loss of his grandson, Faburama, particularly affected him, as Faburama was both smart and helpful to his mother. “Faburama was quiet and full of ambition. He dedicated much of his time to reading the Quran and helping his mother financially and domestically. I feel his loss deeply, but I know God needed him more, so I accept it with good faith,” he expressed.
Alhagie Basiru Gassama, who joined the Jaiteh Kunda family in mourning, called on the youth to avoid taking the Back Way. “My advice to the youth is to desist from taking the Back Way. I know they have good intentions for themselves and their families. When I heard about this incident, I felt very sad, which is why I never advise young people to take this route,” he said.
He urged Europeans to consider offering visas to these young people seeking better opportunities to improve their conditions. He added that the money spent on the Back Way journey is often wasted, as African migrants suffer in Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia. “People should have freedom of movement like Europeans do when coming to Africa. If not, they should bring big investments and industries here so the youth can work and earn a living. It is sad to see educated young people still dependent on their parents. They must aim to travel and improve their lives,” he said.
He also mentioned the hardships faced by other Back Way returnees, who suffered at the hands of Arab immigration departments. “They even take their money and belongings. It is better to stay in the country and work for its future. If all the young people take this route, where will the nation be in the future? We are old now, and they are the future. We wish that Allah grants them the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus,” he expressed.
Mamadou Janneh, a youth leader from Bakau, described the situation as shocking and called on local representatives and the government to take action to improve the conditions of young people. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of the Back Way journey and finding solutions to provide opportunities for young people so that no family has to mourn such losses again.
“Regarding this tragic incident where approximately 28 people lost their lives in Bakau, it is shocking to realize that a boat missing for almost a month was found with no survivors. This is happening because the youth have lost hope in their country and government,” he said.
He emphasized that the government should take action to provide opportunities for young people. “When I talk about Bakau specifically, this includes our National Assembly members and Councillors representing the constituency at the local and national levels,” he said.