By Gloria Ikibah
Irregular migration across West Africa is expected to remain at persistently high levels for the rest of 2026 despite tougher border controls and increased interception operations.
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration with the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Alkali Jammeh, gave the warning while addressing parliamentarians at the ECOWAS Parliamentary Citizen Engagement on the Dangers of Irregular Migration and Modern Slavery, held in Banjul from 6 to 10 July. 
Jammeh said current trends pointed to sustained migration pressure across the region, fuelled by increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks and continued movement through established migration corridors.
According to him, enforcement efforts have done little to slow the pace of illegal migration during the first six months of the year.
“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.
“Irregular migration remained at a high and sustained level during the first half of 2026 despite intensified border enforcement and interception operations by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID),” he said.
He added that operational intelligence showed, “The Gambia continues to function as both a transit and departure country along the Atlantic migration route.”
Jammeh said data collected during the second quarter revealed a sharp rise in the interception of migrants, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from European countries, particularly Germany and Italy; he also warn that criminal syndicates were adapting quickly.
“In the second quarter, a significant increase in migrant interceptions, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from Europe (mainly Germany and Italy) demonstrated that migration pressures remained strong and are becoming increasingly organised.
“Smuggling networks continue to exploit coastal communities, unauthorised border crossings, and regional migration corridors, requiring sustained intelligence-led operations and enhanced regional cooperation,” he said.
He also disclosed that security agencies continue to intercept large groups of migrants, with most coming from neighbouring West African countries.
Jammeh further revealed that a growing number of vulnerable migrants, including Gambians, were being intercepted.
He said migration remained largely male-dominated but observed a gradual increase in female migration, but also raised concerns about the increasing presence of children among migrants, saying it suggested that more families were embarking on dangerous journeys.
“Migration remains predominantly male. Nearly one in five migrants are female. Female migration is becoming more visible in mixed migration flows.
“The presence of children indicates family migration and child protection remains a priority,” he stated.
Providing a breakdown of migrants intercepted, Jammeh said Senegal accounted for the largest share.
“Senegalese nationals form the largest group (842 or 33.7%). The Gambians remain a significant proportion (781 or 31.3%). Guinea (424 or 17.0%) and Mali (383 or 15.3%) continue to contribute to migration flows,” he explained.
“Nearly all migrants originated from ECOWAS Member States,” he said, identifying Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali as the principal countries of origin.
“The implication suggests that migration trend remains predominantly regional,” he added.
Summing up developments during the second quarter, Jammeh painted a worrying picture of the evolving migration landscape.
“Key observations during Quarter 2: Increase in organised group movements. Continued dominance of ECOWAS migrants. Persistent involvement of Gambian nationals. Growing number of women and children. Continued use of irregular migration routes,” he said.
He also identified weak legal frameworks, inadequate patrol and surveillance equipment, limited operational funding, shortages of fuel for border patrols and the complicity of some local communities as major obstacles to tackling migrant smuggling.
Looking ahead, Jammeh warned that the situation could deteriorate further unless governments across the region strengthen cooperation.
“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.
“Smuggling networks are likely to continue exploiting coastal departure areas while adapting their methods to evade law enforcement operations.
“Migration flows from Senegal, Guinea and Mali are expected to remain significant, while returns from North Africa and deportations from Europe are likely to continue increasing.
“Without sustained enforcement, intelligence gathering, community engagement and regional cooperation, migrant smuggling activities may become more organised and difficult to disrupt,” he explained.
