Africa-Press – Gambia. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and a member of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), has said that his continued involvement in politics is motivated by the challenges facing young people in The Gambia.
Speaking in an interview, Mayor Bensouda said his experience as a young person shapes his understanding of the hardships youth endure in the country. He described the situation as “unacceptable,” noting that many young Gambians complete their education only to find themselves without employment opportunities.
“Young people will graduate and will not have jobs. They will go till they get older without having anyone give them a chance. They will lose hope and take the irregular migration,” he stated.
Referencing recent reports of a missing boat carrying irregular migrants, he described the news as “deeply saddening.”
“Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, but the youths embarking on the backway are more than in most African countries,” he added. “Every year, about 10,000 youth embark on the ‘backway.” Last year, 1,250 youths died, while 1,650 were deported. When these people are deported, they are faced with shame and will be reluctant to integrate into society.”
He noted that support for returnees is insufficient, with many coming back traumatized after witnessing deaths, experiencing torture, or enduring other severe hardships along the journey.
Mayor Bensouda said these realities prompted the development of a new support program. So far, the initiative has assisted 40 youths over a two-year period, offering a one-year training program followed by a D220,000 start-up grant to help participants launch their own businesses.
He assured that the program will remain non-political, explaining that an independent committee—free of political actors—will oversee application reviews to ensure fairness and transparency.
“The criteria will be out by December because we are to start in January 2026. Since the announcement, the number of youth who came to KMC is sad,” he said.
Mayor Bensouda encouraged returnees to organize themselves into associations to better advocate for their needs and engage institutions such as the National Assembly, local councils, and the Office of the President.
He also criticized the current level of government spending on youth, calling the youth budget “far too small” compared to the allocation for the presidency.
“We need a budget that will help integrate these youth and prevent others from embarking on the journey,” he emphasized.
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