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The Ministry of Interior in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday 23rd December 2020 launched the Gambia National Migration Policy (NMP) 2020-2030. The launching was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Hall at Bijilo.
The National Migration Policy will serve as a blue print to enhance migration governance system in the Gambia and as well serve as a milestone towards achieving the objectives of the National Development Plan 2018 -2021 on migration.
Speaking at the official launching, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Mr. Yankuba Sonko said the Government of the Gambia, through the Ministry of Interior has been working on the policy document since late 2017. “With the collaboration and valuable support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Government of the Gambia has been able to formulate, develop and validate the policy document through multiple consultants and at least three full reviews, including a final data review by the Gambian Bureau of Statistics”, said Minister Sonko.
Minister Sonko indicated that the principles of the National Migration Policy is aim to improve the socio-economic development of the Gambia channeled towards an effective management of migration within Gambians.
Highlighting on the policy objectives of the (NMP), Minister Sonko added that one of the key objectives of the National Migration Policy is to reduce irregular migration through better border management as well as the promotion of alternatives to irregular migration, by increasing opportunities for youth through national employment among other initiatives.
“In line with the guidelines provided by the African Union through its Migration Policy Framework for Africa and considerations of the different regional instruments on migration, especially the ones implemented within the framework of ECOWAS, the Government of the Republic of the Gambia affirms its commitment to all existing international and national instruments, principles and standards related to migrants”, Sonko concluded
In her opening statement, Ms. Fumiko Nagona, IOM Chief of Mission in the Gambia said migration if properly managed, contributes positively to the socio-economic development of countries and communities in all stages of the migration cycle.
“The task of making migration humane and dignified has become even more pressing with the increasing complexity of the migration dynamics, evolving challenges facing migration management and vulnerabilities migrants encounter during their journeys”, Madam Nagona said.
She added that an objective, comprehensive national migration policy in the Gambia will play a very important role in not only contextualising regional and global instruments, but will also serve as an indispensable tool to operationalise and implement the instruments on migration.
She assured the Gambia Government of IOM’s commitment to continue providing support whenever needed and wish the Government of the Gambia a successful implementation of the policy.
The launching was concluded with the signing of the National Migration Policy by the honorable Minister of Interior, following a brief presentation on the key areas of the National Migration Policy document by Mr. Manding S. Saidykhan, the focal person for Immigration at the Interior Ministry.
By: Fatoumata Joof, Information Officer, Ministry of Interior.