By Omar Bah
The Gambia has been nominated to serve as Non-Permanent Co-Chair of the Global Alliance for the Missing (GAM), alongside the Swiss Confederation, for a two-year term starting October 1st, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad announced the nomination on Monday, describing it as a major diplomatic recognition of The Gambia’s engagement in migration governance and protection of vulnerable migrants.
The Global Alliance for the Missing — hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) — brings together States, International Organisations and Civil Society to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the plight of missing persons, including migrants who disappear along migratory routes, and to support their families.
The Government said the nomination recognises The Gambia’s longstanding commitment to addressing cases of missing persons.
“The Government of The Gambia considers this nomination an important recognition of the country’s continued engagement in migration governance and diaspora affairs,” the Ministry said.
It expressed appreciation to GAM and its Secretariat at the ICRC for the confidence placed in The Gambia.
“In accepting this responsibility, the Government reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the Swiss Confederation, the ICRC and all members of the Alliance to advance greater cooperation, solidarity and practical action to address the humanitarian consequences of persons going missing,” the Ministry said. For over two decades, thousands of young Gambians have gone missing on the backway route through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Gambia, per capita, is one of the highest sources of irregular migrants in West Africa. In 2017 alone, Gambians were among the top 5 nationalities arriving in Italy by sea. The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project estimates that over 1,500 Gambians have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean and Sahara since 2014.
The real figure is believed to be far higher — many deaths in the desert are never recorded.