Three Gambian migrants recently brought back from Mauritania have spoken out about the harsh and degrading conditions they faced while imprisoned during unsuccessful attempts to reach Europe. They are urging the Gambian government to tackle the root causes of migration, particularly the high unemployment rates driving young people to risk dangerous journeys.
A total of 27 Gambians were returned home last month, many of whom had spent several months in detention. Among them, three individuals shared personal stories of abuse and neglect, reinforcing public demands for economic reforms to discourage irregular migration.
“We Ate Dry Bread and Peed in Bottles”
Sulayman Jallow, 29, from Dippa Kunda, said he spent over D75,000 on two separate journeys, both of which failed. He was arrested during his second attempt and spent 12 days in jail.
“In prison, we were only given a quarter loaf of dry bread each day. There was no proper sanitation—we had to urinate in bottles and leave them in the cell. It was a painful experience,” he said. “We’re not leaving for fun; it’s because there are no jobs or prospects here. If there were opportunities, we wouldn’t go through this. We need the government’s support.”
“No Mercy for Undocumented Migrants”
Ebrima Freezer, 18, left The Gambia in 2020 but was arrested at a checkpoint in Mauritania and transferred to a border prison. Despite being underage at the time, he said he received no special treatment or compassion from authorities.
