The Gambia is very fragile at the moment. This is both financially and socially. The economy was so battered during the past decades that it could not sustain any more challenges. Having gone through a change of government, and ushering in a new dispensation which is trying to rebuild the economy, one can understand that it is gradual.
Socially, the cohesion was stretched to the limits, it was – some will say- is at breaking point. A lot of challenges and burdens were placed on the so-called social contract. Currently, youth unemployment is at whooping 38? all of whom are here struggling to survive.
Thus heaping all the migrants on this country without a plan, without providing a base for them to fall back on may spell disaster for this country. The Gambia needs all the help it can get if it is ever going to stand on its feet once again. The International Community showed interest in helping the country recover after we ousted dictatorship and ushered in democracy.
However, if the European Union makes receiving the returnees a condition for aid that may create unfathomable challenges for this and subsequent governments. The Government of the Gambia needs to make this very clear to the EU. The EU has to be made to understand that the situation in the country cannot, at the moment, support the sudden influx of returnees. This, if it happens, could destabilize the country which is the last thing our economy can deal presently.
The issue of migrants is a concern for both parties: the Gambia and the European Union. They should therefore come together and discuss and strategize on the best way to deal with it.
