The Gambian Association in Libya, an umbrella body of all Gambians, has called on The Gambia government to appoint a liaison officer. The group said Gambians living in the North African country are continuously confronted with terrible life threatening challenges.
A statement from the association said appointment of a liaison officer could make a huge difference in addressing these challenges.
“The Gambian Association is struggling to undertake and carry out any or all activities for the promotion and welfare of all Gambian nationals in Libya, which we have registered. About 15,780 Gambians are currently living in Libya, 75 stranded, 5 are widows with kids, 4 are psychiatric cases, 8 have medical cases, and there are 2 dead bodies in the mortuary,” the group highlighted.
They stressed the difficulty they encounter when trying to inter bodies in Libya or repatriate them in the absence of a diplomatic mission.
“Therefore, the Gambia Association renewed its request for the government to at least appoint a liaison officer who can run the affairs of the Gambians diplomatically in Libya,” the association stated.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad requested from the Gambian Association to select a person to be appointed as the liaison officer in Libya within ourselves in April 2020. We selected a person named Abubacarr Camara on 12th April 2020 and sent the name to the ministry. Since then, we have not heard from the ministry. The Gambian Association in Libya relies on the International Organisation for Migration since the conflict began in Libya, to evacuate Gambians, and providing health care and other humanitarian assistance,” the group added.
When contacted for comments, the spokesman at Ministry for Foreign promised to find out and revert to us.
