Gambia Promotes Safe Migration at Second National Dialogue

Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay © 2nd Migration National Dialogue

By Edward Francis Dalliah, Jr.

The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), hosted the second National Dialogue on Migration, promoting safer ways of migration.

Held on Wednesday, 17th December 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, the event brought together key stakeholders to discuss migration governance and its contribution to national development under the theme “Leveraging Regular Pathways for The Gambia’s National Development.” The dialogue aimed to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration while discouraging irregular migration, which continues to claim the lives of young Gambians.

Speaking on the theme, Chief of Staff Mr. Alieu Loum told delegates that “The theme of this dialogue, Leveraging Regular Pathways for National Development, captures our vision. Regular pathways are pathways of dignity, safety, and opportunity; they provide an alternative to irregular migration, protect migrants' rights, and ensure that mobility contributes positively to national development.”

The Officer-in-Charge of IOM Gambia, Ms. Sibgha A. Jiaz, during her opening remarks, said the national dialogue was “first launched in December 2023, and it was born from a shared vision that migration, when governed responsibly, can be a transformative source for development.” She added that “today’s dialogue is built on that foundation, bringing together government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to deepen collaboration and accelerate action on this agenda because migration is not the story of one institution; it is the story of all of us.”

United Nations Resident Coordinator Mr. Karl Paul Frederick described the dialogue as timely, noting that migration plays a vital role in sustainable development. He emphasised that migration is more than the movement of people, describing it as a “transfer of ideas, skills, and opportunities.” With a Gambian diaspora of over 150,000 and remittances contributing more than 32% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, he said, “migration is deeply woven into the fabric of national development.”

However, despite its development potential, irregular migration remains a major concern. Over the years, thousands of young Gambians have lost their lives attempting dangerous journeys through the desert and across the Mediterranean Sea, leaving families and communities in grief.

IOM Data of Dead and Missing Persons by Year © IOM

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said, “Migration, when governed, can be a powerful agent for national growth, human development, and social transformation.” He, however, warned against the dangers associated with irregular migration, stating that although migration brings development, “despite these opportunities, we cannot ignore the profound risk and vulnerability associated with irregular migration.” Minister Ceesay added that “the Gambia has witnessed over many years the devastating loss of young lives due to dangers of the irregular routes, including the desert and the Mediterranean Sea.”

Global statistics from the Missing Migrants Project, an IOM-owned database that documents those who lost their lives on irregular migration, highlight that 79,036 people have been recorded as having died or gone missing. During this period 2024 recorded the highest with 9,197 people. As of December 2025, 5,720 have been recorded to have died globally this year.