By Sarjo Brito
A plane carrying a group of Gambians who have been deported from Germany will land at the Banjul International Airport Wednesday afternoon, the spokesman of the Gambia Refugee Association in Europe has said.
Concerns have been mounting over the past weeks as German authorities set to carry out more deportation of Gambian illegal immigrants.
And confirming the news to The Fatu Network, the spokesperson of the Gambia Refugee Association Yahya Sonko said his association has been contacted by Gambians held at the deportation prison in Germany to confirm that they are set to depart Germany January 27, 2021 and estimated time of arrival at the Banjul International the same day at 4pm GMT.
‘’As an Association, we can confirm receiving calls from Gambian detainees at the deportation prison. They confirmed that they will be deported today 11am German time and will arrive in Gambia at 4pm. Two families have also contacted me from the Gambia, confirming to have received calls from their loved ones who told them they will be deported today,” Sonko said.
Following news of this deportation, Sonko said he had tried reaching out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments regarding the matter but got no response so far. The activist said he had also tried reaching the Gambia Immigration Department to confirm if a landing permit has been issued “but all efforts to get the authorities to talk continue to prove futile”.
The subject regarding mass deportation has recently sparked anger among Gambians as government is accused of ignoring the plight its citizens abroad. Allegations of the Barrow Administration signing a deal with the German government to deport Gambians has been touted by some activists for some time, with many asking government to come out and set the record straight.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saikou Ceesay was contacted for comment who said he would find out. He later did not pick repeated calls.
