Spain and Mauritania Forge New Agreements to Tackle Migration Crisis

Wednesday 28 August 2024 - 11:25

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has embarked on a significant tour of West Africa, with a particular focus on strengthening bilateral relations with Mauritania, Gambia, and Senegal, key departure points for migrants attempting the perilous journey to the Canary Islands. On Tuesday, Sánchez announced a series of new agreements with Mauritania aimed at curbing the increasing number of migrants making the dangerous crossing.

One of the key initiatives introduced by Sánchez is the extension of Spain's circular migration program to Mauritania. This program is designed to facilitate legal, temporary labor migration, allowing workers to gain employment in Spain while ensuring their eventual return to their home countries. Additionally, the agreements include renewed cooperation between Spain and Mauritania’s security forces to combat human trafficking and smuggling networks.

Sánchez emphasized the need for a balanced approach to migration, rejecting the notion that it is a problem to be eradicated. "Migration is not a problem; it is a necessity that comes with certain challenges. We must find humane, safe, and orderly ways to manage migration, benefiting both our societies," he stated. He stressed that Spain’s policy is grounded in "moral principles, solidarity, and dignity," aiming not to stop migration but to regulate it effectively.

The Spanish Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Mauritanian government for its continued efforts in combating irregular migration and its cooperation in fighting human trafficking. In response, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani praised Spain's commitment to his country’s development, noting that Sánchez had already visited Mauritania twice this year.

Sánchez's visit is part of a broader three-day tour of West Africa, with upcoming stops in Gambia and Senegal. These nations, like Mauritania, are significant departure points for the thousands of migrants who attempt the risky Atlantic crossing to the Canary Islands. The archipelago has seen a dramatic increase in migrant arrivals, with over 22,000 people landing on its shores since January—more than double the number during the same period last year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.

Many of those arriving are young people seeking better job opportunities abroad, but the islands are also receiving thousands of Malian refugees escaping the violence and instability in the Sahel region. Mauritania, recognized for its relative stability, currently hosts about 200,000 Malian refugees near its border.

As sailing conditions between West Africa and the Canary Islands improve, Spanish authorities are preparing for a potential surge in arrivals. The agreements made during Sánchez’s visit aim to address this challenge by enhancing legal migration channels and strengthening collaborative efforts to disrupt the criminal networks that profit from human trafficking.