Eladji Fai
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
In a family compound on a sandy street near the Gambian capital, Banjul, 20-year-old Eladji Fai is coming to terms with the end of his dream. He'd wanted to reach Europe, he'd risked his life to make the journey, but now he's ended up back where he started.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
After two years away with help from the UN, he's just returned from Tunisia. It was from there that he had hoped to cross the Mediterranean. Instead, he endured years of hardship that would have broken most.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
Even on land in North Africa, says Aladji, African migrants are not safe, preyed upon by traffickers, criminal gangs and security forces, forced to live out of town in makeshift shelters at risk of police raids, detention, abuse and deportation.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
Tunisia denies it mistreats migrants. The EU says it wouldn't support human rights abuses. But it has done deals with North African nations, including Tunisia, to curb irregular migration. In the end, El Aji felt he had no choice but to come home. but it is hard for many returnees. The Gambia's population is mostly young. Jobs are scarce, incomes are very low.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
Many leave in the hope of earning money for their families and have borrowed from family and friends to pay for the journey. So to come back empty-handed can be devastating.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
Tajan and his colleague Tombong are two of the leaders of Youth Against Irregular Migration, a group formed by returnees to warn others of the risks of taking the unofficial route to Europe. But they also help counsel each other, for many carry mental scars from all they've endured.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
For Eladji, who's just returned, there's certainly a lot to deal with. For the first time in two years, he's going to see his mum.
Global News Podcast
Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
She wraps him in her arms and won't let go.