The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad wishes to inform the general public that fourteen Gambian nationals were intercepted and detained by the Mauritanian authorities for embarking on irregular migration. Following notification to The Gambian Embassy in Nouakchott, they provided the migrants with needed logistics and support while in detention until their deportation to The Gambia on 20th October 2022.
The Embassy further provided transportation for their return. However, on their way to The Gambia, 12 of the migrants disembarked the bus and disappeared in Senegal. The two that decided to return were provided with humanitarian assistance and protection services at the Gambia border post in Amdalai. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures the general public that it will continue to work with all stakeholders including the Gambia Immigration Department, the International Organisation for Migration and The Gambia Red Cross Society to provide consular, humanitarian and protection services to Gambian migrants.
On a similar note, the Gambian Embassy has informed the Foreign Ministry this morning that five Gambian nationals have also been intercepted and detained by the Mauritanian authorities on 27th October 2022 but was only brought to the attention of the Embassy on 2nd November 2022. All necessary arrangements are currently being worked out to secure their release and subsequent repatriation.
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