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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Apr 2006 : 21:51:27
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Culled from Foroyya. A sign of desperate times.
Nine Gambian Youths Perish At Sea
By Musa Barrow
Due to the desperate economic situation in the country, thousands of
Gambian youths over the years have embarked on risky journeys across the
sea with the sole objective of reaching Europe, which they consider as
the Land of their Dream and salvation. These youths are often driven by
the sheer and object poverty which engulfed them and their families,
and they see no other solution to their depressive and deplorable
conditions except putting their lives at risk, in search of greener pastures
in Europe. For some who managed to survive the wild waves of the sea and
entered Europe, after all, the risky journey is worth taking as it
makes a dramatic and positive impact on their lives and most essentially on
the lives of their families whom they leave behind, not knowing whether
they will see them again or not. For those who fail to stand the
gruesome test, their dreams turn into elusions as they are either swallowed
by the sea or left at the mercy of hunger and starvation in the middle
of the deserts thereby unleashing an absolute nightmare and trauma on
their families, which will continue to hunt them for years.
Recently a boat destined for the Spanish Coast of the Canary Islands,
left the Mauritanian Coast loaded with fifty (50) youths of various West
African nationalities, only for it to be found two weeks later with
just three passenger alive. The remaining forty seven (47) passengers are
reported to have died of hunger as a result of running out of food,
which also culminated with the Captain of the boat getting lost and
failing to trace the right route.
According to sources, among the forty seven (47) youths confirmed dead,
there were nine (9) Gambians all of whom came from the Wuli West
District. They are: Alkalidinding Jabby, Yusupha Jabby, Janko Jabby, Ebrima
Suwareh and Janko Solo Ceesay from Taibatou village and from Sutukonding
village, Bukarie Kamaso and Mami Sillah. Mbembanding Sillah and
Jalikoli Dambelleh came from Bani and Kerewan respectively. [/u][/u]
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“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
Edited by - kondorong on 18 Apr 2006 21:53:56 |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2006 : 22:12:49
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| There is more to this tragic saga that meets the eye. I want to think there is a mafia, behind these operations, that bribes the concerned authorities capable of stopping this recurring tragedy. It hallmarks capitalism, as long as victims are "nobodies" who cares. Surely, this could be stopped if there is a will. |
Bamba |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2006 : 22:17:26
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It is human nature to want to 'better'yourself and your family. Throughout history young men have taken risks with this aim.
It is very sad to hear of the deaths of West Africans in this way. Especially as other West Africans have probably profited from charging them for their passage.
I am so sorry for their bereaved families....... but they died trying their best for the future. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2006 : 23:19:52
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There is alot of money changing hands. Average payments are about 3000.00 euros and surely the demand is there and every one tries to supply it. The stakes are high but it is difficult to condemn them trying to do something. Africans need to make life better for their citizens so that poeple will not take this kind of risk. After all, crossing is one thing but settling down is a bigger problem.
May their souls rest in peace. Amen. I believe the smugglers should be sanctioned in one way or another especially if they make them cross on boats with no survival kits. One survivor said of his memebrs being eaten by a big fish- probabaly a shark. He said he was the lone survivor and perhaps the sharks had enough. There was no where to go for help and some of these people get stranded for days without food.
I was told some spoke on TV about their journey and they are usually given one loaf of bread for four days journey. Some are already immaciated before they embark on the deadly trip, having walked in the hot desert to morocco.
Morocco should certainly stop their country being used in this way. Then again, corruption is every where and no one will police it.May be by trying to enforce will make people go underground and the costs will even sky rocket with no guarantees of making across the seas. It is a complex issue that needs careful planning. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 01:14:30
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It was stated in the press last week that 1,600 Africans lost their lives at sea last year in their bid to get to the Canary Islands 600 miles from the coast of Mauritania and since January of this year 1,000 have met a similar fate.
The European Commission responsible for justice, freedom and security said last week that Spain had requested assistance of how to deal with the influx of mostly African males. Many injured on their sea travels.
The fishing village of Nouadhibou has become the stepping-stone for those attempting to reach Spain.
A Mauritanian fisherman or citizen who wants to buy a boat will cost around $4,500.
Sub-Saharan Africans end up paying twice as much for a boat in Mauritania. In addition they must pay for food, fuel and global positioning system device to reach their goal.
Taking around 40 persons to fill the boat each paying around $610, plus the coast of travel from their home, first to Nouakchott, then later Nouadhibou. The route has got busier since Madrid tightened their security last year.
How very sad and tragic for these desperate young men. May safe journey, freedom & peace be with you.
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The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 08:03:36
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It is such a sad situation that people feel so desperate that they would risk this dangerous passage to Spain. I feel it so badly for their families.  |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 11:37:04
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| My thoughts are with the families of the victims, I agree I think there is a mafia situation involved here. They pay a small fortune to be part of the boat people. I think if it was shown on local tv GRTS take note then more gambians wuld be aware of was has happened. Unfortunately like other nations it is aimed at the desparate people. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 19:52:46
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I also feel with the victims and their families. I tried to find the english translation of an article I recently read in a German online magazine; it was a report about what is going on in Nouadhibou.
Sorry, I think it was in the German issue only. But what I read makes me ask you: If ever possible, try to convince young people in Gambia not to go to Nouadhibou! I would like to translate the article, but at the moment I haven't got the time; it is a long text. They say, for example, that Nigerian gangs are already there to rob and rip off the refugees. It is a tragedy. |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 19:58:13
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| Whatever Nigerians have their hands on is fraudulent. Sorry if i sound so nationalistic in such a postulation. |
Bamba |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 20:11:35
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Yes, sometimes you get the impression there is not one honest person in this whole big country; nobody who is not criminal.
Though this cannot be true, Nigeria has a terrible image problem. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 20:18:09
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| A yougn man i knew decided to go Nouadhibou. I only knew about it a few hours ago. He never told me and sneaked out. I was told he made a frantic call in the gambia saying he is in desperate need of help. we do not know where he is. He did not leave a country code. he must be some where in the desert towns. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 20:43:29
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| Sad news. I cross my fingers and hope they find the young man before anything bad happens to him. |
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kassma
334 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 21:22:01
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quote:
Originally posted by bamba
Whatever Nigerians have their hands on is fraudulent. Sorry if i sound so nationalistic in such a postulation.
i hate to say it but i agree. i don't why they're so dishonest. of course it is not all of them, but.... |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 19 Apr 2006 : 22:55:25
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| I remeber being stopped at the airport when Gambia changed its passport color to Green. Th immigration officer, without looking at my passport said if i was a Nigerian. I fumed but then realised that every Nigerian seems to suffer from an image problem Hey Big brother, please do something. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2006 : 00:09:47
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SAB i think you have highlighted the problem very well,some years back a friend of mine (also from Wulli/Basse area)decided to go to Mali and then through the desert to Spain. one thing i remember is that he was willing to pay more than $2,000 to take his chances.
the root problem ofcourse is the general poverty in West Africa but also they are many border patrols, desert nomads, Tauregs, north africans etc who are profitting knowing very well that these people will not make it but they let them do it!
its easy to stop this if they arrest all these traffikers.one thing that is certain is that neither Spain nor these north african countries seem to have any respect for african life. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2006 : 00:53:31
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| You are right Njuks. Most gambian that left for libya were only allowed to come home with a radio set. All their monies were confiscated. Ask those who have been there, they have no respect for Black Africans. No wonder many are not part of the OAU but the Arab League. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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