A group of stranded Gambian migrant returnees from Libya has arrived in Banjul, recounting the harrowing experiences they endured abroad.

The group arrived on a repatriation flight organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

One returnee, Lamin Jallow, left The Gambia in 2016 with hopes of entering Europe. After a grueling journey, his dreams were shattered in Libya, where he and other West African migrants faced severe hardship. Leaving behind a wife and two children, Jallow tragically lost one of his children during his absence.

“I left a wife and two kids,” he said. “But one of them died when I was in Libya,” he added, taking a deep breath.

Another returnee, Sanna Jawla, also left the country three years ago due to economic hardship.

His main reason for embarking on the perilous journey was to lift his family out of poverty. To do this, he gave up his tailoring job and risked everything.

“I wanted to help and support my family,” he said. Like many of his fellow returnees, Jawla was subjected to inhumane treatment in Libya. Despite the suffering he endured, he remains determined to achieve his ambition of reaching Europe.

“If I have the chance again, I will still go back because I want to help my family,” he insisted.

According to IOM data, an estimated 35,000 Gambians have entered Europe through the backway.

However, nearly 2,000 Gambians have been reported dead since 2017, while more than 6,000 have returned.

By Adama Makasuba