The village of Jambur is still reeling from the shock of losing 41 youths at sea after their migrant boat heading for Spain sank off the coast of Mauritania.

The community was nearly desolated at the time of Gambiana’s visit. Everyone we encountered was in a state of shock as they mourned their loss. Family members in tears huddled together to comfort each other. 

The grieving villagers described the deceased youths as “lions and key pillars” of the Jambur community.

More than 100 Gambian migrants are feared dead in the tragic boat incident.

Kebba Malang Bojang, who lost four sons who were in their 20s in the tragedy, is still in disbelief despite holding charity prayers for the deceased sons.

“I lost four of my children in this disaster. There was time when I was not seeing Sanna and I asked and they told me he has left for Europe with Ba Musa, Foday and Buba,” he told Gambiana, adding that he was never aware of his sons plan to embark on the perilous backway journey to Europe in search of greener pasture.

Bojang blamed the mass exodus of Gambian youths to Europe due to lack of jobs and opportunities in the country. He urged the government to come up with a pragmatic solution, adding that “lip service” and empty promise will not address the backway route issue. 

“Poverty and lack of jobs is the reason driving the youths to take on this journey. Because you graduate and you will not get a job to help your family is painful.  The Government should intervene with a pragmatic solution. But this sensitization will not end this backway. The government should come up with measures to create more jobs for the young people,” he added.

Mamadou Bojang also lost his 27-year-old brother, Karamo Sanyang, in the boat incident. He was a fisherman. He broke down in tears as he recalled his half-brother whom he tried to discourage many times from embarking on the perilous backway.

But he had given up hope in this country and saw this journey as an opportunity to better his life. 

He said: “I am broke internally and I don’t think I can be who I used to be anymore.  This shocks the whole community. Everyone is shocked. No one believes that this is true. This has been catastrophic for us in Jambur and the whole country. This is sad.”

However, he urged the government to step up effort and cater for youths with better jobs. 

“The government should really do more in helping the youths because the country has lost so many young people through this journey. The population of the country has reduced. The Gambia is lonely,” he said in tears.

The Gambia has been seriously hit by mass migration of youths to Europe through the dangerous sea in search of better life as the country’s economy continues to falter and youth unemployment rise.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba