- Successfully Reintegrated Irregular Migrant Reminisces Nightmarish Journey
By Aji Fatou Jammeh
The perilous journey to Europe commonly known as ‘Back way’ has perished many Gambian youth.
Most of these young people who choose to embark on this journey serve as breadwinners in their struggling households. They see traveling to Europe by all means as their only way to success. However, most of them face inhumane treatment throughout the journey. Some get imprisoned under harsh conditions and others work from day to night without being paid.
Muhammed Bah was among Gambian irregular migrants who were assisted by IOM to return voluntarily to their home of origin in 2017.
After spending 4 years in Libya, Muhammed was lucky to return to The Gambia through the assistance of IOM. He had worked as a tailor before he left for this journey. According to him, he had to close the business and sell the shop along with all the materials because of the high tax rates. He used the money to go on the journey.
“When I left The Gambia to Mauritania, I went to Morocco where I was imprisoned for nine months. They later returned us to Mauritania where I spent 6 months and then finally took a boat to Libya,’’ he explained.
Further on his ordeal Muhammed recounted that he was imprisoned and beaten even though he did not commit a crime, and that he was enslaved by the agents who promised to take him to Saba after paying them D35, 000.
“They sold us to the Arabs who sent us to prison and made us call our families back home to send them money. If our families did not send the money, they beat us up every day. We lived in harsh conditions with no proper food or water,’’ he said.
Muhammed advised young people and potential migrants to acquire skills and refrain from embarking the irregular migration journey. He said he has regretted venturing in this journey and urged young people to try and make best use of the opportunities in the country.
He believes that the youth can make The Gambia great. ‘’Without the contribution of the youth, the Gambia will not develop’’.
Muhammed said he chose to come back home because of the hardship he faced while in Libya. He narrated that being sold as a slave was his most horrible experience because he never had peace.
After receiving his reintegration package of 1000 Dollars from IOM, Muhammed decided to restart his tailoring business in Kunkujang and he has employed three young Gambians. He is also working with the Gambian returnees who are involved in awareness raising and promoting safe migration.
He called on the government to give more support to the returnees, saying they have the skills, they only need financial support.