Senegal’s navy recently intercepted nearly 600 migrants trying to leave the country in just ten days. This increase highlights how economic and political challenges push more people to take dangerous trips to Europe. On October 29, the navy’s patrol boat rescued 183 people from a wooden pirogue near Djiffer, a village on the western coast. The navy shared this news on its social media. This was the second major interception in a week from the Saloum delta, an area known for its channels and mangrove islands.
Earlier, between October 26 and 27, another boat carrying 230 migrants was stopped about 130 kilometers from Dakar. These operations show the growing number of departures from Senegal, which has become a major starting point for West Africans aiming for the Spanish Canary Islands. Over the last ten days, these actions brought the total number of intercepted migrants to 582.
Although Senegal is one of the largest economies in West Africa, economic instability and limited job opportunities, especially for young people, drive many to leave. The European Union has pledged €30 million to help Senegal manage migration and fight human trafficking. Despite these efforts, the lack of job opportunities, particularly in sectors like agriculture, continues to push people to risk their lives.
The route to the Canary Islands is especially dangerous. Strong ocean currents and unpredictable weather make the journey risky. Boats are often overloaded and not seaworthy, leading to many deaths each year. Reports from the UN and human rights organizations show that fatalities on this route are increasing. In late September, the navy found 30 bodies from a boat off Dakar. In mid-September, a boat sank near Mbour, killing at least 39 people. After these incidents, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye promised to act against smugglers and encouraged young people to stay in the country.
This situation in Senegal is similar to what is happening in Mauritania, another West African country along the Atlantic migration route. By October 15, the Spanish Interior Ministry reported that 32,878 migrants had reached the Canary Islands by sea, up from 23,537 during the same time last year. Many migrants are fleeing insecurity in the Sahel region, passing through Mauritania. According to the UN Refugee Agency, Mauritania, with 4.9 million residents, now hosts 275,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with many in the Mbera camp near the border with Mali.
Mauritania’s defense minister, Hanena Ould Sidi, stated that the worsening security in the Sahel region is causing more people to cross the country on their way to Spain. He discussed this issue with Spain’s defense minister, Margarita Robles. The Spanish government is actively working with West African nations to control migration. In August, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Mauritania and promised to work with the country to stop human trafficking and support legal migration.
The increase in migrant departures from Senegal and other West African countries shows the urgent need for regional cooperation and international aid. Addressing the root causes like economic challenges and political instability is essential to reduce the number of people risking their lives on dangerous migration routes.