In January, 6,000 migrants were stranded on Spain’s Canary Islands. Many of them come from Mauritania. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen travel to the country to strengthen the fight against illegal migration.
About 83 percent of all refugee boats that reached the Canary Islands in January left from the coast of Mauritania. Others come from Senegal and Gambia, for example. According to Spanish refugee organization Caminando Fronteras, the journey from the West African Atlantic coast to the Canary Islands has now become the most dangerous route in the world. Last year, 6,007 migrants drowned, died of thirst or starved while trying to reach Europe.
Last weekend, the Spanish sea rescue service picked up more than a thousand boat people off the Canary Islands and brought them ashore. The weather conditions on the Atlantic Ocean, which are otherwise stormy at this time of year, are currently favorable.
Collaboration agreement only postpones the problem
Both Spain and the EU already have cooperation agreements with Senegal and Mauritania to reduce the number of migrants. Yet Mauritania in particular has developed into a transit country for refugees from the Sahel region on their way to Europe. Islamic State members from Mali and Niger also travel via Mauritania.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen now wants to offer the Mauritanian government around 200 million euros, even though the country already receives EU money (about 15 million euros for migration per year). Experts fear that the problem may only move further south, to Senegal. Drought disasters and political and social instability in many African countries contribute to the flight to Europe.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
