Foni Bintang family in despair, nine years after the disappearance of their father, Siaka Fatajo.

The Foni Bintang community in Batabut Kantora, located in the West Coast Region, continues to grapple with pain and uncertainty nearly nine years after the disappearance of their beloved father, Mr. Siaka Fatajo. He vanished in the aftermath of The Gambia’s historic 2016 presidential elections and hasn’t been seen since.
Despite efforts to find him, Mr. Fatajo’s whereabouts remain a mystery, leaving his family in a state of emotional turmoil. His daughter, Mariama Mambureh Fatajo, has opened up about their ongoing struggle, expressing the deep sense of loss and devastation they feel.
“We have been living with an unbearable burden without any closure. No answers, no body, no grave to pay our respects to. Just endless pain and longing,” she tearfully shared.
The family reported Mr. Fatajo’s disappearance to the Sibanor Police Station immediately after he went missing. They also reached out to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who wrote to relevant authorities to seek information. However, despite their efforts, they have been left in the dark.
Mariama, who was particularly close to her father and fondly called him “Ajanga,” reminisced about their bond and how his sudden absence shattered their lives. She revealed that she had to give up her education to support her family financially as her mother struggled to make ends meet.
“I had to put a pause on my education because my mother couldn’t afford to send all of us to school. I had to get married early to lessen her burden,” she sadly shared.
As a mother now, Mariama often imagines her father meeting his granddaughters, Binta and Maryam, and showering them with the love and stories he once shared with his own children. But with no closure in sight, the family continues to wait and hope for answers.
In a plea to the Government of The Gambia, the Inspector General of Police, and relevant authorities, the family is asking for their help in finding Mr. Fatajo and finally putting their minds and hearts at peace.