Lead
A new report from the ECOWAS Parliament urges governments across West Africa to make the creation of decent and sustainable jobs for young people a top priority, warning that unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities continue to fuel irregular migration and human trafficking across the region. The call comes as data presented to the regional legislature shows a heavy toll of Gambian deaths and missing persons on migration routes in 2026.
The report was produced after a week-long citizen engagement in The Gambia, where parliamentarians met with young people, returnees, community leaders and other stakeholders. Presenting the findings, head of the delegation, Hon. Billay Tunkara, said participants overwhelmingly identified unemployment, underemployment, low incomes, inadequate access to education and vocational training, and limited economic opportunities as the primary factors pushing young people to undertake dangerous migration journeys.
Coverage Comparison
Both sources focus on the same story but from different angles. One report centers on the ECOWAS Parliament's policy recommendations, framing unemployment and lack of opportunity as the root cause. The other, covering a presentation by Baye Gassama, Chief Executive Officer of the Network of Reintegration and Irregular Migration Data (NRIMD), before the ECOWAS Parliament, provides detailed statistics on deaths, missing persons, and returnees, highlighting the deadly consequences of irregular migration. Together, they offer a statistical and policy-oriented picture of the issue in The Gambia and West Africa.
Key Claims
According to data presented by Baye Gassama, Chief Executive Officer of the Network of Reintegration and Irregular Migration Data (NRIMD), during a meeting with the ECOWAS Parliament in Barra, North Bank Region, a total of 131 Gambians have died while attempting irregular migration journeys in 2026. Gassama said 117 of these deaths occurred at sea and 14 were recorded on land. He noted that "the sea remains the deadliest route."
Gassama also revealed that four boats carrying migrants have gone missing this year, with 245 Gambians reported missing. The data showed that 1,860 migrants arrived in Spain in 2026, of whom 743 were Gambians. He further disclosed that 2,553 migrants were intercepted during the year, including 574 Gambians. Of those, 1,589 interceptions occurred before the migrants had even departed on their journeys.
Turning to returnees, Gassama said the NRIMD recorded 246 returnees in the North Bank Region in 2025. That figure represents a 38 percent rise from the 178 recorded in 2024. He explained: "The increase from 178 in 2024 to 246 in 2025 indicates a 38 percent rise in returnees, underlining the urgent need for reintegration support, livelihood programmes and psychosocial services to prevent re-migration and support sustainable community development."
The ECOWAS Parliament report also noted that family expectations, peer influence and social media have become powerful drivers of migration, with success stories of migrants overseas encouraging more young people to embark on risky journeys despite widespread knowledge of the dangers involved. Testimonies from returnees and survivors described experiences of deception, forced labour, exploitation, abuse, detention, family separation and severe psychological trauma.
The report recommended that governments invest in vocational education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and access to finance to reduce migration pressures. It also noted that survivors could play a vital role in discouraging others by sharing their experiences with vulnerable communities.
Perspectives
The views in this article come from two distinct parties: the ECOWAS Parliament and the Network of Reintegration and Irregular Migration Data (NRIMD).
The ECOWAS Parliament
Through its report, the ECOWAS Parliament argues that unemployment and economic stagnation are the main forces pushing people to leave. The Parliament calls on governments to expand youth employment, tighten anti-trafficking laws, and promote investments in vocational education and entrepreneurship. It also highlights the role of family expectations, peer influence and social media, and suggests that returnee testimonials could serve as a deterrent.
The Network of Reintegration and Irregular Migration Data (NRIMD)
Presenting its latest data, NRIMD's Chief Executive Officer, Baye Gassama, provided hard numbers on the human cost of irregular migration in 2026, including deaths, missing persons, and interceptions. While not a formal policy position, the data underlines the need for urgent action, specifically mentioning the need for reintegration support and psychological services to prevent re-migration.