Yahya Sonko, a Gambian migration activist based in Germany, has urged President Adama Barrow to declare a state of emergency in response to the ongoing migration crisis, following reports that 62 more Gambians are missing and presumed dead at sea. Sonko emphasized the severe impact of irregular migration, which has resulted in numerous young Gambians disappearing or dying in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sonko stressed that this issue requires immediate action, not just from the government, but from the entire nation, including families and the diaspora. He called on the Gambian government, international organizations like the International Organization for Migration, and diaspora communities to collaborate in addressing the crisis.
He also urged Gambian families to stop encouraging young people to seek dangerous migration routes, highlighting that the dream of a better life in Europe often ends in tragedy.
Sonko warned that the loss of Gambian youth is a national emergency, and the time for passive concern is over. “Our youth are the future of this nation, and every life lost is a loss for the entire country,” he said. He called for immediate and unified efforts to prevent further loss of life and to protect the future of The Gambia.
