The Gambian government has issued a strong warning to citizens against travelling abroad to participate in armed conflicts, following media reports that several Gambians have been killed in foreign battlefields.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, authorities said they had received credible information confirming that a number of Gambian nationals enlisted in overseas conflicts and lost their lives.

The government described the development as deeply concerning and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

Officials stressed that the state does not authorise or support any Gambian to engage in foreign wars under any circumstances.

“Individuals who travel to conflict zones and take part in fighting do so entirely at their own risk and responsibility,” the statement emphasised, making clear that such actions fall outside the mandate or protection of the government.

Authorities warned that involvement in foreign hostilities exposes individuals to extreme dangers, including death, serious injury, detention, and possible legal consequences under international and domestic laws.

The government also appealed to parents, religious leaders and community elders to discourage young people from being lured into foreign conflicts, whether through promises of financial gain or other incentives.

By Adama Makasuba