Africa-Press – Gambia. The revelation that the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has sent a mobile team to help distressed Gambians facing immigration challenges in the Republic of Mauritania is not only bizarre but outright suspicious. First, the lack of transparency necessary to reassure the public makes the exercise dubious. The admission by the immigration authorities of the existence of such a mission, only came about as a reaction to the public outcry over what is, by all accounts, a controversial policy.
It is bizarre that a department that has been unable to satisfy in-country demand for national identity documents, including drivers license, has found it necessary to mount a high powered mission to go and issue the same documents out-of-country; specifically to Gambians in Mauritania. The explanation given by the Gambia immigration directorate in a press release just doesn’t hold water, and could probably be even illegal. The immigration authorities must have been aware that African migrants in general, including Gambians, are facing greater danger and challenges in countries like Tunisia and Libya. One would expect that these countries would be accorded greater priority for intervention by the foreign ministry and the Gambia immigration department.
Notwithstanding the explanation offered by the GID directorate; is a mission of this type the correct decision? Gambian National Identity documents are normally issued only within the country to citizens and anyone legally entitled. Gambians outside the country are normally issued consular cards, travel documents, and passports to facilitate their status in their country of residence. Therefore, this begs the question about the possible motives of a high powered official mission, which strangely includes the SIS, and officers from other government departments. Consequently, one is bound to ask whether these officials are the new authorities that are empowered to identify, validate and provide attestation for Gambian citizenship.
It will be recalled that in 2021, an Honourable member of the Senegalese National Assembly accused the Gambia Immigration Department and the Independent Election Commission of liberally issuing Gambian identity and voting documents to a majority of his non-Gambian constituents in Southern Senegal, thus enabling them to not only use the documents fraudulently, but also allowing them to participate in our democratic national elections.
Given that history, and taking into account the manner this mission is being rolled out, one does not have to be a sceptic to be concerned that a similar operation may be taking shape, with a view to undermine the free and fair elections that Gambias demand and deserve.
GFA has on many occasions expressed serious concern about the issuing of Gambian national documents for nefarious purposes, and warned that it is an offence to obtain or cause to obtain Gambian national documents by fraudulent means.
It is the responsibility of all patriotic Gambians to protect the integrity of the Gambian electoral process and to safeguard our fledgling democracy. GFA calls on all Gambians to be vigilant, law abiding, and to protect the gains made through our relentless struggle for a better future.
Long Live The Gambia
Long Live GFA
GFA Communications (Comcel)
Majonka House.
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