What is Migration?
Migration is a human phenomenon that involves the movement of people from one place to another, either temporarily or permanently. Globally, factors responsible for the migration of people is categorized under either push or pull factors. While the push factors forces people to desert their settlements for another settlement, the pull factors attract people to migrate to other places. Significantly, the push factors that can lead to migration include political instability, economic hardship, and natural and human disasters etc. while the pull factors on the other hand are; economic security, educational opportunities, heath care opportunities and insurance etc. These push and pull factors are what characterized the daily migration phenomenon of regular or irregular globally.
Many Gambians mostly migrate to Europe, Asia and America with hopes and expectations of enjoying an improved life, earning a decent living and raising the standards of their education high. Unfortunately, many are trapped in circumstances that necessitate their deportation as per the “good practice “agreement between Gambia Government and the European Union in the case of the recent deportation crisis.
Deportation
Deportation is the act of removing someone from one country to his or her country of origin, and this is usually conducted through force or other means. Although some specific factors that can led to deportation include staying in a particular country without proper documentation, denial in granting asylum or failing to meet the asylum requirement for application. Other issues that can led to deportation involve crimes like illegal drug trade, money laundering, tax evasion, arms trafficking, violence, terrorism, and embezzlement.
The Gambian Crisis:
The massive increase of deportation started in 2018 and on the 15th of September 2023 it has been announced on Deportation Alarm a working group of No Border Assembly, which is a Berlin-based weekly meeting space to organize resistance against borders and deportations. On their various social medial platforms that “A charter deportation to the Gambia will take place on 27th September, 2023”, such acts have received public outcry from Gambians. In fact, many Gambians continue to ask whether there is a deportation agreement between the government of The Gambia and the European Union. Although evidence has shown that in 2018, the Gambia entered into a “good practice agreement, which accords the European Union the right to repatriate Gambians found violating domestic laws in Europe. Jointly, the Gambia Government works with the European Union in the identification of migrants in Europe to ascertain that they are from Gambia for their subsequent repatriation. In a response letter dated 3rd February 2021 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad with reference: PA 90/193/01 TEMP I (PMN-117), The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to a letter received from the Switzerland Embassy in Dakar with the letter heading INVITATION FOR AN IDENTIFICATION MISSION TO SWITZERLAND”. The letter bears that the “Ministry is in receipt of the attached Note Verbale No. 1/2021 dated January 11, 2021, from the Embassy of Switzerland in Dakar forwarding an invitation letter from the State Secretariat for Migration inviting officials from the Government of the Gambia for an identification mission to Switzerland from February 22nd–26th, 2021.” Notably, the purpose of this identification call from the authorities was to establish grounds for deportation.
While there is no explicit, “deportation agreement” signed between the Gambia Government and the European Union, the “Good Practice agreement approved by the European Commission allows European Union member countries to repatriate persons unauthorized to stay in Europe.”
However, the Gambian citizens continue to lament and hope government can speak about the deportation crisis clearly for the members of society to understand about the issue of deportation and why it is happening.
Hence, the issue raises more questions than answers, and the authorities who have been in the center as per good practice continue to raise more doubt than clarity. While the current minister of Foreign Affairs, international cooperation and Gambians abroad, Dr Momodou Tangara said that the Gambian government has not signed any bilateral agreement with the Federal republic of Germany regarding deportation but, according to him the deportation of Gambians is based on a document sign between the Gambia and the European Union (EU) in 2018, which was forwarded by the minister of foreign affairs during the tenure of Lawyer Ousainou Darboe.
Conclusion:
Many Gambians embarked on journeys to foreign lands in search of better opportunities, hoping for greener pastures. Unfortunately, some have been forcibly returned to The Gambia, and others are at risk of deportation. People are understandably asking, “What has caused this surge in deportations, and does a deportation agreement exist between The Gambia and the European Union?”
To address this, it’s important to note that there isn’t a specific deportation agreement between The Gambia and the German government. However, in 2018, The Gambia and the European Union entered into a “good practice agreement.” This agreement grants European Union countries the authority to deport Gambian individuals back to The Gambia if they meet certain deportation criteria, as mentioned earlier.
This agreement has significant implications for those affected by deportations and has sparked questions and concerns among the Gambian populace. It is essential for both the government and concerned parties to engage in open and transparent communication to better understand and navigate the complexities of this deportation situation.
By
Yankuba Taal
Researcher