EU-Mauritania Accord: Joint Initiative to Deter Migration Bound for Europe

EU-Mauritania Accord: Joint Initiative to Deter Migration Bound
FILE PHOTO: Migrants wait to disembark from a fiber boat after being rescued by a Spanish coast guard vessel in the port of Arguineguin, Spain February 3, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File Photo

EU-Mauritania Accord: Joint Initiative to Deter Migration Bound for Europe

Mauritania and the European Union have inked a migration agreement to address the escalating challenge of migrants undertaking perilous journeys across the Atlantic Ocean to Spain’s Canary Islands. The deal, signed on Thursday, includes a substantial $230 million commitment from the European Union to support Mauritania in managing migration and combatting human traffickers.

Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, lauded the agreement during the signing ceremony in the capital, Nouakchott. She emphasized the critical importance of reinforcing the partnership, particularly in enhancing support for border management and search-and-rescue operations.

Johansson highlighted the deadly nature of the route from Mauritania to the Canary Islands, acknowledging it as one of the most perilous journeys. The financial assistance provided through the agreement aims to strengthen Mauritania’s capacity to address migration challenges effectively.

Spain has witnessed a surge in migrants and refugees reaching its Atlantic Ocean islands, located approximately 100 kilometers off Africa’s coast, with nearly 12,000 arrivals reported in the first two months of the year. The dangerous journey claims the lives of many migrants, underscoring the urgency of comprehensive efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.

Mauritania’s Minister for the Economy and Sustainable Development, Abdessalam Ould Mohamed Saleh, asserted the country’s commitment to the common agreement. He emphasized that Mauritania would not become a destination for irregular migrants, aligning with the stance endorsed by the European Union.

For years, Spain has collaborated with Mauritania, deploying national police and civil guards to assist local authorities in preventing migrants from Mauritania and neighboring nations from embarking on the perilous journey. The International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project reported at least 191 deaths or disappearances in 2024 among those attempting to reach the Canary Islands, although the actual number is likely higher.

The signed migration deal reflects a joint commitment to address the complex challenges posed by irregular migration, enhance border security, and facilitate search-and-rescue efforts. As both Mauritania and the European Union pledge to work collaboratively, the agreement signifies a step towards a coordinated and comprehensive approach to managing the migration crisis in the Atlantic region.

TRENDING

Related Posts

Illuminating the Promise of Africa.

Receive captivating stories direct to your inbox that reveal the cultures, innovations, and changemakers shaping the continent.