By Omar Bah
Fatou Tamba, a Gambian woman who has lived in Liverpool for about eight years, faces imminent deportation to The Gambia, where her family fears she will be in danger due to their past political associations. After arriving in the UK initially as a visitor, she sought asylum but had her applications rejected. Recently, she was detained during a regular check-in with immigration officials and is currently held at Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre, with deportation scheduled for April 21.
Her brother, Lamine, has expressed serious concerns for her safety upon returning, citing threats and violence against their family linked to the former Gambian government. Friends are also worried about her health, as she suffers from diabetes and depression and has not received appropriate medical care while in detention. Fatou has been an active member of Liverpool’s refugee and asylum-seeker community, supporting women in similar situations.
