UDP leader Ousainu Darboe has called on President Adama Barrow to take the lead in convening a national conference on irregular migration, amid growing concern over reports of a missing migrant boat believed to be carrying more than 190 Gambians.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the United Democratic Party bureau in Manjai, Darboe said the scale and persistence of irregular migration demand urgent political leadership and coordinated national action. He described the situation as a national emergency that can no longer be addressed through fragmented or reactive measures.
The veteran politician warned that the continued loss of young Gambians on dangerous migration routes, commonly referred to as the “backway,” represents a failure of collective responsibility. According to him, the issue has reached a point where complacency is no longer an option.
Darboe argued that human trafficking and smuggling networks operating across land and sea have become increasingly sophisticated, requiring the state to respond with stronger and more technologically advanced security measures, particularly along the country’s maritime borders.
He called for tighter surveillance and improved coordination among security agencies to prevent boats from leaving Gambian shores unnoticed.
While stressing the importance of enforcement, Darboe noted that security alone will not solve the problem. He said any serious national response must also confront the economic and social conditions pushing young people to risk their lives in search of opportunities abroad.
“Decisive and collective action is critical to safeguarding lives and addressing the root causes driving irregular migration,” Darboe said, adding that the protection of citizens should remain the state’s highest priority.
He urged the government to treat the issue as both a national security and human rights concern, and to bring together political parties, civil society, security services, religious leaders, and development partners to agree on a unified strategy.
Darboe’s comments come at a time when irregular migration remains one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged issues in The Gambia, with many families still searching for answers about missing relatives. By calling for a non-partisan national conference, the UDP leader said the country has an opportunity to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to prevent further tragedies at sea.
