Disgruntled Gambians, mostly women, stranded in Lebanon, on Thursday 20 August 2020, staged a protest at The Gambian consulate in Beirut expressing outrage and frustration at the government of The Gambia for refusing to come to their aid. The protest left The Gambia’s diplomatic compound in Beirut vandalized as confirmed by The Gambia Foreign Ministry.

Few weeks ago, pictures and videos of Gambian women in the said country emerged online seeking help from the government to repatriate them home as they struggle to make ends meet, and sometimes, seek financial assistance from their families back home in order to have food to survive.

The spokesman of The Gambia Foreign Ministry Mr. Saikou Ceesay, confirmed the incident and said, they received a report that some stranded Gambians in Lebanon have smashed The Gambian consulate in Beirut for allegedly refusing to meet their demands.

“We condemn, in no uncertain term, this willful damage to property. The property housing the Gambian consulate in Beirut is a private one. We urge all Gambians to exercise their right to protest through peaceful means, ” Mr. Ceesay said.

He confirmed that attempts were made to arrest the protesters for demolishing the properties of The Gambian consulate, but the consul arbitrated on their behalf as their arrest will further delay their return. “Is the honorary consul who interceded on their behalf to avert this because preparations are at an advanced stage for their return home and arresting them will cause delays.”

Mr. Ceesay further reaffirmed that plans are already afoot to bring the stranded Gambians in Lebanon home  “We have already sought waivers and emergency passports were approved and stamped by the immigration department in Beirut.”

By: Fatoumatta Samateh