Mauritania and Gambia have agreed on a ‘pilot project’ for circular migration © Fernando CALVO / LA MONCLOA/AFP. Source: RFI.
Mauritania and Spain have agreed to strengthen their collaboration to manage the growing number of migrants making their way to Spain. This agreement was reached during a visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Mauritania, a key country in West Africa. The Spanish government has been facing a significant increase in migrant arrivals, especially to the Canary Islands. Both countries have expressed a commitment to work together to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. They emphasized ensuring the fair and humane treatment of all migrants, highlighting the need for cooperation in addressing this complex issue.
Every day, the Spanish coastguard is faced with the challenge of intercepting vessels carrying numerous African migrants heading toward the Canary Islands, located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The journey across the Atlantic is extremely dangerous due to strong currents and overcrowded, often unseaworthy boats. Thousands of migrants have lost their lives or gone missing while attempting this perilous journey. To address this, Spain and Mauritania are keen to enhance their efforts in managing these migration flows more effectively.
Prime Minister Sanchez’s visit to Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, marks the beginning of a three-day tour that also includes The Gambia and Senegal. These countries are crucial in the broader migration crisis affecting Europe. During his visit, Sanchez and Mauritanian officials signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at creating a pilot project for selecting Mauritanian workers to work in Spain. This initiative is part of a larger plan to develop circular migration programs, with a specific focus on providing opportunities for young people and women. The agreement reflects a broader effort to manage migration by creating legal pathways for work and reducing the need for dangerous, irregular journeys.
The talks between Sanchez and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani also included discussions on reinforcing laws against illegal immigration. The Mauritanian government has proposed setting up a specialized court to tackle human trafficking and implementing stricter legal measures to deter illegal activities related to migration. These measures aim to curb the rising tide of migration by addressing its root causes and strengthening the legal framework around migration issues.
The Spanish government estimates that around 200,000 people in Mauritania are currently waiting to make the journey to the Canary Islands. Recent statistics from the Spanish Interior Ministry reveal that from January 1 to August 15 this year, 22,304 migrants arrived at the Canary Islands, representing a 126% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Overall, Spain saw 31,155 migrant arrivals up to mid-August, a significant rise from the previous year’s 18,745 arrivals. This surge in numbers underscores the urgent need for effective cooperation between Spain and Mauritania, as well as other West African countries, to manage migration flows more sustainably and humanely.