“About 100 Gambians are currently detained in various Turkish detention centres and that the Gambian Embassy in Ankara has a list of those affected.”
He said consular officials provide support, including identification, documentation, welfare assistance, clothing and small financial help, while also engaging Turkish authorities to seek their release or facilitate voluntary return.
He admitted, however, that the situation is complicated by the fact that many detainees are undocumented and some refuse to disclose their identities or accept repatriation, insisting instead on remaining in Turkey in the hope of continuing their journey to Europe.
Speaking during an interview with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time programme, the minister said the situation in Turkey has become the most pressing migration challenge facing The Gambia today, even as similar pressures are felt in Libya, Europe and the United States.
Njie explained that the migration crisis is not unique to The Gambia but part of a wider African and global trend, driven by massive youth migration in search of better opportunities. He noted that many countries, particularly in Europe and those serving as transit routes, have introduced stricter immigration enforcement policies aimed at cutting migration flows, with Turkey being a key example.
According to the minister, Turkey, which was once a major transit route to Europe, significantly tightened its immigration policies between 2020 and 2023. These changes, he said, have affected many African nationals, including Gambians who entered legally but later overstayed their visas after refusing to return home when those visas expired.
Addressing reports of abuse, Njie dismissed claims that a Gambian woman with a fractured leg was detained instead of being taken to hospital, saying investigations by the Gambian mission in Turkey confirmed that she received medical treatment and was never returned to detention.
However, he acknowledged the broader challenges facing Gambians in Turkey, stressing that it is the responsibility of the Gambian government to ensure its citizens are treated fairly, with dignity and respect, wherever they are in the world. He said Gambian missions abroad are mandated to support citizens, facilitate assistance and engage host governments when problems cannot be resolved at mission level.
The minister also addressed complaints that the Gambian embassy in Ankara is often unreachable. He said this concern has been raised with the mission and made it clear that embassies must be accessible at all times, with rapid response mechanisms in place to assist Gambians in distress.
“Members of the Gambian community in Turkey have raised alarm over residency permit denials, mass arrests, long stays in deportation camps, lack of communication from the embassy and deportations without passports.” In response, Njie said the government will intensify bilateral engagement with Turkey, citing the long-standing and strong relationship between the two countries.
Looking ahead, he said, 2026 will be a key year, with plans to pursue policies and agreements that could allow Gambians in Turkey to regularise their status, obtain work opportunities and live legally, subject to Turkish law. Njie stressed that while Gambians must respect the laws of host countries, mass deportations are not in The Gambia’s interest, especially given the significant contribution of the Diaspora to the national economy.
