Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Police Force (GPF) Wednesday received a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and discussed enhanced coordination on missing migrants, data management systems and national response mechanisms.
The IOM delegation, led by Ms. Mariela Guajardo, conveyed condolences to the government and people of The Gambia over recent migration-related incidents and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting national institutions in strengthening identification, tracing and family support processes.
According to officials, discussions focused on reinforcing the National Taskforce on Missing Migrants, improving inter-agency biometric data sharing and enhancing institutional coordination among the Police, Immigration Department and other relevant stakeholders. IOM representatives underscored the importance of structured data systems and collaborative identification protocols.
Representing the Gambia Police Force, Commissioner of Police for Banjul Region, CP Habibou Sanyang, welcomed the engagement and reiterated the GPF’s commitment to working closely with IOM and national partners to improve investigative response, identification procedures and support for affected families.
The Serious Crime Unit and the Forensic Unit outlined their respective roles in victim identification and evidentiary processes, emphasizing professionalism, accuracy and sensitivity in handling such cases.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen national capacity, enhance data-driven response systems and provide timely information and closure to families affected by migration-related tragedies.
The Gambia Police Force reaffirmed its dedication to coordinated, professional and humanitarian approaches in addressing migration-related challenges.
