Migration Activist Warns Gambia Must Address National Crisis

Written by: Dawda Baldeh

As the scale of youth loss along the Atlantic migration route continues to emerge, migration activist Adrain Corish, founder of the African Migration Advisory Center (AMAC), has warned that The Gambia can no longer afford to downplay, redefine, or ignore what he describes as a growing national crisis.

“What is happening to the nation’s youth is not merely migration; it is a humanitarian emergency,” he said.

Mr. Corish cited a recent report by the Ebriama Migrant Situation Foundation, which found that 131 Gambians have died at sea in the first four months of 2026. From January to April, 131 deaths have been confirmed, while 254 people remain missing without a trace, bringing the total number of lives lost or unaccounted for to 385 within just four months.

“Even more concerning is the nature of these deaths. Two out of every three victims, or 66%, are missing, leaving families without closure, burial, or answers, only silence from the sea,” he said. “This is not merely migration; it is a humanitarian emergency. A nation cannot remain passive while its youth disappear into the ocean without a trace.”

Addressing the recent boat disappearances, Mr. Corish described the situation as a devastating tragedy, stressing that each statistic represents a family caught in uncertainty. “Behind each number is a family now ensnared in uncertainty, awaiting news that may never arrive,” he said, adding that the situation can no longer be seen as isolated incidents. “It is national trauma.”

Despite widespread awareness of the dangers, departures continue. Mr. Corish has urged both the government and the public to take decisive steps to deter irregular migration.