By: Dawda Baldeh
The leader of the Tabax Reewmi, meaning building the nation, political movement, Ahmadou M. H. Kah, has criticised the silence of President Adama Barrow’s government regarding the increasing deaths of Gambian youth due to irregular migration and the recent fatalities of former soldiers in Russia, which have left families in anguish.
Mr Kah, who formed his political movement to contest in the upcoming 2026 presidential election, accused the government of neglecting urgent matters that compel young people to take perilous migration routes where thousands have lost their lives over the years.
In a statement shared with The Fatu Network, Mr Kah questioned whether the government genuinely cares about these tragedies, describing its approach as irresponsible.
“How many more must die before the government takes action?” he asked. “Enough is enough. There is no suffering more agonising than the pain that recurs, a pain that haunts mothers with memories of their losses, even in their dreams.”
He added that the recent deaths of two former Gambian soldiers in Russia have left their families shattered. “Mothers have wept until their tears have run dry. Their hearts are torn apart by the unbearable loss of their sons, losses that could have been averted with responsible and courageous leadership.”
Kah expressed his belief that the government is failing to take initiative in addressing these complex issues. He described the deaths of the soldiers in Russia as tragic, even as many have argued that the soldiers were aware of the risks involved in the conflict. “Not a single word of truth, warning, or compassion has been expressed by our government,” he claimed.
He further condemned the government for overlooking the critical issues that drive young people to pursue dangerous paths to Europe in search of better opportunities. “Rather than accepting accountability, our leaders have opted to silence themselves, turn away, and act as if nothing is occurring. The reality is clear, the government seeks to conceal its guilt,” he stated.
He argued that every Gambian youth who dies abroad does so because the system has failed them, pushing them to seek alternative means of survival. “The silence of our government is a national disgrace. Reports indicate that Gambians who participated in the Russia and Ukraine war have allegedly died, with no confirmed survivors,” he said.
Mr Kah claimed that the government had long been aware of the deaths of the Gambian soldiers in Russia but chose not to disclose the information to the public. He stressed that the welfare of young people should be the government’s foremost concern.
He went on to accuse President Barrow’s administration of misplacing its priorities, noting the millions of dalasi allocated for the ongoing nationwide Meet The People Tour, and suggested such funds could have been put to better use.
“The government must implement immediate measures to prevent more Gambian youth from dying in foreign conflicts and on perilous migration routes. If you still assert that you care about a single Gambian life, demonstrate it,” he reiterated.
By: Dawda Baldeh The leader of the Tabax Reewmi, meaning building the nation, political movement, Ahmadou M. H. Kah, has criticised the silence of President Adama Barrow’s government regarding the increasing deaths of Gambian youth due to irregular migration and the recent fatalities of former soldiers in Russia, which have left families in anguish. Mr The Fatu Network
