About The Backway

The Backway applies a completely different take on the usual narrative concerning migrants and refugees where, rather than focusing on the journey that such individuals face in attempting to reach their destination country and the challenges they are faced with upon arrival, The Backway instead focuses on what many are faced with upon their return back home, following deportation.

The issue of migration in the Gambia, as it stands, continues to be of major concern and commonly floods the national conversation as hundreds of Gambia’s most potent workforce continue to risk their lives in the high seas. The repeated deaths of several youths have made this matter require more urgent attention as the following recent statistics highlights: 

• Ebrima Migrants Situation Foundation reported on 5 January 2026 that 893 deaths were linked to The Backway route. Read more here.

• Migration activists reported that in 2024 alone, at least 1,603 Gambians died attempting the Backway. Read more here.

• On 14th October 2023, 57 youths were all confirmed to have perished in a boat that left the shores of Gambia and capsized off the coast of Mauritania as they tried to reach Spain;

• Migrant Watch Association (MRWA) has claimed that it recorded the names of 95 Gambian Migrants who died in different countries in 2022 through the 'Backway' journey to Europe. It also reported 900 Gambians who were deported to the Gambia in 2022 and 599 who entered Europe through the backway. Read more here.

• On 8th November 2021, about 200 youths, the majority of whom are from the Gunjur region of Gambia, and neighbouring settlements, left Gunjur beach on a fishing boat for Spain. Two years on, no one knows the whereabouts of the occupants of that boat.

Whilst the film relies on specific themes to create a back story as to why so many continue to risk their lives in search of a better life abroad, at its core, the film seeks to raise awareness about an issue that continues to dominate the headlines in the Gambia.

A report released by ActionAid into 'how the Gambia can better address Migration and its development challenges' can be read here.