By Omar Bah
Ambassador Vincenzo Mascioli, the Director of International Affairs of the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, visited The Gambia on June 1st for an exchange visit on migration.
During an exclusive interview, Director Mascioli, who recently led a delegation to Banjul for bilateral talks with senior government officials, highlighted Switzerland’s proactive approach to migration. He emphasized the country’s focus on voluntary return, the few returns from Switzerland to the Gambia, and the proactive measures taken to reintegrate returnees. This approach underscores Switzerland’s commitment to addressing the root causes of migration and creating opportunities to reduce the need for migration.
Mr. Mascioli underscored Switzerland’s comprehensive approach to migration, which views it as an opportunity to foster young Gambians’ growth and skill development within their own country. He emphasized the importance of a partnership approach, particularly the need for mutual learning among partners. This emphasis on mutual learning highlights the collaborative nature of the Swiss-Gambian cooperation and its potential for positive impact.
Mr. Mascioli stressed Switzerland’s profound respect for The Gambia’s unique circumstances. He highlighted that Switzerland tailors its approach to each country, recognizing that their needs and situations are distinct. “Our collaboration is shaped through ongoing dialogue with The Gambian authorities. We strongly believe that this personalized, country-specific approach is the most effective. Our fundamental principle is that responsibility should be shared mutually,” he emphasized, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and respect in their partnership.
According to Ambassador Mascioli, although not a member of the European Union, Switzerland believes that addressing the migration issue between Africa and Europe requires a collective effort, as only some countries can handle it alone. Aside from migration, Switzerland is dedicated to aiding the Gambia in strengthening its democracy. Ambassador Mascioli highlighted a specific initiative funded by Switzerland to support Gambia’s security sector reform process, which is being carried out by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). This project exemplifies Switzerland’s commitment to facilitating the transition process for Gambia.
