During the oral question session, Hon. Assan Touray, Member for Bakau, standing in for the Honourable Member for Lower Badibu challenged the Minister to explain why ID issuance had been prioritised in countries such as Mauritania, Gabon, and Togo, while citizens in Banjul, Brikama, and Barra still struggle to obtain theirs.
In response, Minister Sanyang cited Section 17 of the Nationality and Citizenship Act, affirming that all Gambians over the age of 18, regardless of location, are entitled to identification. “Whether at home or abroad, a Gambian remains a Gambian,” he declared, adding that many overseas citizens risk statelessness or legal complications without valid documentation.
However, lawmakers pressed further, questioning the choice of countries. “We have more Gambians in Europe than in Mauritania or Gabon,” one member argued. Sanyang responded that Europe-bound migrants typically require passports rather than ID cards, and assured the Assembly that enrolment centres would soon be opened in Spain, Italy, London, and the United States, pending visa approvals for Gambian immigration officers.
The Minister admitted that Mauritania was selected due to international pressure, describing it as a key “back way” transit point for migrants. “Without documentation, you don’t know which country they come from,” he said, revealing that the initiative was partly prompted by requests from the Mauritanian government.
Concerns over transparency were raised, particularly regarding how Gambians abroad could provide supporting documents such as parental IDs or birth certificates. Sanyang clarified that the same requirements applied both at home and abroad, and that applications lacking proof of citizenship were rejected. “Not everybody who applies is issued,” he stated.
Hon. Momodou Bah, Member for Banjul North, flagged the ongoing delays in ID issuance, noting that many Gambians still wait over a month to receive their cards. Minister Sanyang denied that the problem persists, attributing previous delays to a shortage of ID chips sourced from the UK. “We had 70,000 unprinted IDs, but that’s resolved. Today, you can get your ID within two to three days in-country, and within a week abroad,” he assured.
