West African countries like Senegal and Gambia are witnessing a surge in migrants attempting to reach Europe, particularly the Canary Islands. Senegalese authorities recently reported halting boats carrying over 500 individuals bound for the Canaries just this month.
Between May 7 and May 16 2024, the Senegalese navy intercepted four boats carrying a total of 554 people in waters off Dakar, the capital, and Saint-Louis, a north-western city. The latest interception, on May 16, involved a boat with 116 individuals on board, stopped around 100 kilometers off the coast.
Most of the migrants hail from Senegal or neighboring countries, with some departures originating from Gambia. This month’s interceptions mark a significant increase compared to previous months, with double the number intercepted between December 2023 and April 2024. In November 2023, there was a peak of 1,000 interceptions, as reported by the Senegalese navy and corroborated by AFP. However, it’s noted that not all migrant interceptions may have been officially reported.
The perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the Canary Islands often leads to fatalities due to dehydration and exposure. Just this month, a tragic incident occurred where 26 people, departing from Guinea, perished when their boat sank off the Senegalese coast.
Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, characterized the situation as a migration “hemorrhage.” In previous incidents, including one in February, dozens of bodies were found washed ashore in the Saint-Louis region after migrant boats capsized at sea.
Senegal has witnessed a steady outflow of migrants in recent months, with departures occurring nearly daily bound for the Canaries. Many young Senegalese individuals feel disillusioned about prospects at home and increasingly seek opportunities in Europe for a better life.
The number of migrants reaching the Spanish islands has seen a drastic surge since the beginning of the year, with nearly 16,000 arrivals, marking a nearly 370% increase compared to the same period in 2023.