Ousainou Darboe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has denied the alleged US State Department travel ban on Gambian Officials.
“I’m not aware of any travel restrictions between the Gambia and The United States,” Foreign Minister Darboe said.
“As far as I know there is no travel ban or restriction on Gambian officials,” he added.
Darboe only made mention of some Gambians in the United States who are awaiting deportation base on immigration issues and other crime related matters which he said has nothing to do with travel ban on government officials. He added that government officials have recently returned from the UN General Assembly meeting in New York where he stayed for extra days before returning home Wednesday.
He spoke about the ongoing efforts to return the country to the Commonwealth. The matter he said is subjected to assessment and will be tabled before the Commonwealth Heads of States for approval.
The Foreign Affairs Minister was questioned about the plight of Gambians abroad particularly the ones living in Europe and Libya. He was further questioned about the number of those repatriated. He was also asked whether there is any incentive to for the returnees.
Minister Darboe said they are doing everything possible without the used of force to convince the Gambian youths in those countries to come back and not to risk their lives.
“There is scheme fund for Gambians who come back voluntarily,” he said.
Darboe said one of the biggest challenges of his ministry is to convince the young Gambians to return to the Gambia.
Meanwhile, he commended the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee headed by Honourable Sidia Jatta of Wuli West.
