Return migration has impact on knowledge diffusion and innovation in countries of origin. This is further catalysed if the origin country provides a framework and good conditions for returnees to make use of their skills and investments. While The Gambia is typically categorised as a country of outmigration, return migration remains a critical aspect of its migration discourse and governance.
This piece delves into the story of Buba Saidykhan, a 31-year-old Gambian migrant returnee, who shares his sore experiences and how he managed to turn his disappointment and frustration over his failed trip abroad into an opportunity.
Resident of Farato Bojang Kunda, Buba grew up from a not-so-well-to-do background. After completing grade 12 at The Gambia Senior Secondary School, he got offer to study public health at The Gambia College. Unfortunately he had no one to pay for him. “I would spend the whole day at home and only got to spend some time with friends when closed from school,” he said. Buba said the situation became untenable, triggering the desire to take the ‘Back way’ out of desperation to change his family status.
Narrating his ordeal about the ‘back way’ journey, Buba, a former football athlete, had this to say: “I faced so many challenges; so many things that I had not expected. Upon my arrival at the Senegal border, my colleagues had their money taken while I got locked up because I hadn’t much money on me”. He said he went to Mauritania after spending some months in Senegalese detention. In Mauritania he had the opportunity to work doing painting, going to the farm and cleaning to be able to gather some money to continue the journey.
Buba said he had faced abuse and discrimination in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and other places, but more especially in Libya, where he faced racial abuse. The Brikama native said he had been jailed, kidnapped and robbed. I was imprisoned 3 times, in 3 different prisons. The last prison I was locked up with other Gambians in maximum in Libya named ‘griyana’. It is an empty container. Many Gambians lost their lives in that container. Sometimes when we were sick and visited the hospital they would not even give us medication” he lamented.
Buba had to return to The Gambia after three unsuccessful attempts to reach Italy through Libya. He felt traumatised by the deaths of some of his compatriots and friends who had become family in Libya.
“I decided to come back to play my part in the development of the country. I went into skill development”. However, his return was not without some challenges. He faced stigma and bullying from his own people, who regard him as a failure. This experience, Buba said had stressed and traumatised him and almost regretted coming back.
He overcame the trauma and discrimination after joining a restaurant to learn some skills like cooking before teaming up with a painter friend to learn painting, solar and wallpaper installation.
After this intriguing experience upon his return Buba has some words of advice for the youth of the country: “Anyone wanting to leave The Gambia must learn some skills”. He called for concerted efforts to discourage the youth from embarking upon the ‘back way’.
Buba also has a football team and a drama organization. His mission, he said is to change minds and make them believe that they can make it here, while promoting health education, and the entertainment industry. They also organise summer camp and run campaign against smoking kush and backway.
For Buba Saidykhan coming back was not just about returning to a place, but about finding himself again. With new experiences and a fresh perspective, he is ready to embrace the challenges ahead and contribute to his community.
Author: Adam Colley.
