Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General and Minister of Presidential Affairs, has attacked President Barrow  over the deportation of Gambians from Europe amid economic hardship in The Gambia.

Some undocumented Gambian migrants in July were processed for deportation from some European nations which sparked public debate.

The Barrow government has been blamed for signing a deal with the EU that would make it easy to deport undocumented Gambians in the European Union. 

Sabally, a senior member of the largest opposition party in the country, is repeating the accusation that Barrow “consented” to the deportation of Gambians from Europe.  

“I put to you that the remittances of Gambians abroad is what is sustaining our people and the economy that your thievery is dependent upon. So please do not fire the finger that is feeding you,” he said.

According to Sabally, Sidia Jatta did approach the Europeans for a pragmatic solution to the problem of these potential deportees and the German authorities showed him signs of willingness to cooperate “but your government dropped the ball on this and the fault is now entirely yours.”

Many Gambians depend on remittances sent from abroad for their daily upkeep. 

According to the World Bank, The Gambia is the second largest recipient of remittances as a share of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa, only behind Comoros and ahead of Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria – whose $24.3 billion remittance inflow is only 6.1% of GDP.

“While your government is plotting to sabotage the progress of our youths, your ministers are looting the very resources meant to empower these youths; to wit, the scandalous per diem racketeering by your own minister in charge of youths,” Sabally added. 

“A top member of your cabinet is building a mansion at Brufut heights, allegedly financed by an Indian Businessman with questionable business practices. Are you going to sound a warning note and take action to stop this blatant banditry in your government?” he claimed. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba