By Buba Gagigo
The Gambian government has deployed its top diplomat to Mauritania in response to allegations of mistreatment of Gambian migrants, authorities announced on Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara was sent as a special envoy to Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani on behalf of President Adama Barrow, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad wishes to inform the public, particularly Gambian nationals residing in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, that it has been closely monitoring developments concerning Gambian migrants in the country with utmost concern and keen interest. In light of this and in consideration of the strong bilateral ties between The Gambia and Mauri-tania, His Excellency Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, has today dispatched His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, as a Special Envoy to his brother, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania,” the statement read.
In addition to the diplomatic outreach, the Gambian Embassy in Nouakchott has been instructed to intensify engagement with Mauritanian authorities and bolster communication with Gambian migrants to safeguard their welfare. Officials also urged all Gambians in Mauritania to register with the embassy to facilitate more effective assistance.
The government provided contact information for key embassy officials, including Deputy Ambassador Saikouba Jarju (Mobile: +222 36159457) and Counselor Lamin Secka (Mobile: +222 20967984), to ensure that Gambians in Mauritania have direct access to consular support.
The Gambian government’s intervention comes amid growing concerns about the treatment of West African migrants in Mauritania, a key transit country for those seeking to reach Europe. While Mauritania has long hosted a significant migrant population, rights groups have raised alarms over the detention and deportation of undocumented individuals.