The increase in departures from the Mauritanian coast and the influx of Malian migrants pose a major humanitarian and political challenge for Spain.
Spain is facing increasing migratory pressure, exacerbated by the increase in departures from the Mauritanian coast and instability in the Sahel. This situation is of particular concern to the Spanish authorities, especially with regard to the Canary Islands, where migrant arrivals have reached record levels.
According to data compiled by the Spanish daily El País, between January 1 and August 15, Spain recorded 31,155 migrant arrivals on its territory, a 66 per cent increase over the previous year. Of these arrivals, 22,304 were recorded in the Canary Islands, a figure more than double that of the previous year. The majority of these arrivals took place in January, with a spectacular increase of 524 per cent, before falling slightly in the following months.
However, it is the departures from the coast of Mauritania that are causing the most concern for the Socialist government of Pedro Sanchez. Confidential documents revealed by El País show that 13,000 migrants left Mauritania for Spain, an increase of 6,000 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. Although considered one of the most dangerous migratory routes, it continues to attract a growing number of would-be exiles.
The danger of the Canary Route is well known. Boats that deviate from their original trajectory along the African coast due to strong currents risk being lost at sea.
In the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, the chances of finding the sepirogues are slim. On August 6, a pirogue with 14 bodies was found off the coast of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean.
The boat had initially set out for the Canary Islands before drifting across the
Atlantic.
The influx of Malian migrants: an additional challenge
Mauritania receives 10 million euros a year from Spain to train and equip its coastguard. In return, Nouakchott undertakes to receive on its soil migrants intercepted in the Canary Islands after leaving Mauritania and to prevent boat departures.
In response to the massive influx of migrants, the European Union signed a 210 million euro agreement with Mauritania last March to strengthen control of the country’s borders.
But internal crises in Mali, Mauritania’s neighbor, are complicating the situation. The threat of terrorism has led tens of thousands of Malians to seek refuge in Mauritania in recent months. Between January 2023 and April 2024, more than 95,000 new Malian refugees arrived in
Mauritania, adding to the 105,000 already there, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Many are hoping to reach Europe. Since January, 9,000 Malians have landed illegally in Spain, making them the most represented nationality among the illegal arrivals.
This predominance of Malians among the migrants arriving in Spain points to a new scenario that requires a different approach from the Spanish authorities. Until now, Spain, unlike Italy and Greece, has been able to present its irregular immigration as mainly economic, paying less attention to its international commitments on asylum.
However, the influx of Malian migrants could change this paradigm. Indeed, Malians have one of the most obvious refugee profiles.
Consequently, the fact that the majority of new arrivals have a refugee profile should prompt the Spanish authorities to guarantee them access to asylum procedures.
MN/te/lb/GIK/APA