Africa-Press – Gambia. The ECOWAS Resident Representative in The Gambia has explained that ECOMIG Forces in The Gambia are not an occupational force, but are here for a purpose, when that purpose is achieved, they (forces) will leave the country.
Her Excellency, Madam Miatta Lily French was speaking during an exclusive interviewed with the ECOWAS Communication team from Abuja, Nigeria in her office at Fajara recently where she dilated the mandate of her office among others.
She informed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has extended the mandate of the ECOMIG mission in The Gambia for another two years during the end of the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria in June 2024.
Madam French a Sierre Leonean national representing the ECOWAS Commission President in The Gambia, stated that her office has an oversight of all ECOWAS projects and activities in the country.
“What ECOMIG in the country need to focus on for the next two years is to transfer skills and train Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) personnel so that they are up to standard to take-up all their responsibilities when ECOMIG forces leave the country,” H.E. French explained.
On ECOWAS Regional Stabilization Fund, Madam French explained that the said funds were used to support fishing project in The Gambia, highlighted that, lots of the said funds were used to rehabilitate fish smoking houses because as she put it, Gambia has a large fishing area.
Through the stabilization fund project she continued, ECOWAS provide the beneficiary fishing communities with new ovens, water and sanitation facilities and fencing of their facilities so that women can have secure environment to stay longer and do their work safely.
According to H.E. French, the only problem the country is currently facing is youth going through back-way to Europe searching for greener pasture.
She said when these young people were deported back to the country, they are depressed, because their journey was unsuccessful thus, it becomes both social and security issues for the country.
Madam French suggested that, as a country, they need to pay attention to the back-way journey returnees, so that whoever was deported back home, will have something to do in their life by setting themselves into business in order for them to better themselves in future.
“One of the emerging issues for The Gambia is drug abuse, which my office is providing funds for the construction of the rehabilitation center in the country,” ECOWAS Resident Representative concludes.
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