Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently announced a new strategy to strengthen relations with Africa, particularly Western Africa and the Sahel regions, highlighting them as priority areas for Spain. This initiative aims to improve collaboration and partnership with these regions in order to address various challenges, including migration issues and the surge of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands from West Africa.
One of the key components of this new strategy is the signing of partnership agreements with The Gambia, with a focus on implementing circular migration practices. This approach seeks to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration that benefits both Spain and The Gambia while addressing concerns related to migration. The agreements are expected to enhance cooperation between the two countries and provide a framework for managing migration in a more humane and effective manner.
As part of his tour of West Africa, Prime Minister Sanchez visited Mauritania, where he emphasized the need for renewed cooperation between Spain and Mauritania’s security forces to combat people smuggling. He acknowledged the role of migrant workers in Spain’s society and emphasized the importance of managing migration in a humane and orderly manner. Sanchez highlighted the moral principles, solidarity, and dignity associated with migration, indicating a commitment to regulating migration rather than halting it altogether.
The Canary Islands have become a major arrival point for migrants from African coastal nations, with more than 22,000 people arriving since January. The region has seen an influx of migrants from countries like Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania, as well as unaccompanied minors seeking better opportunities abroad. The local government in the Canary Islands has been strained by the increased number of migrants, posing challenges in providing care and support for these individuals.
Last year, over 4,000 Gambians arrived in Europe via the dangerous Atlantic route, with a tragic incident involving a boat carrying 300 migrants from Gambia and Senegal in which many lost their lives or went missing off the coast of Mauritania. This highlights the risks and dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe through perilous journeys. The new strategy being pursued by Spain aims to address these challenges while also promoting cooperation and solidarity with African nations to manage migration effectively.
Overall, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s announcement of a new strategy to strengthen relations with Africa and address migration issues in collaboration with countries like The Gambia reflects Spain’s commitment to managing migration in a humane and orderly manner. By focusing on partnership agreements, circular migration practices, and renewed cooperation with African nations, Spain aims to address the challenges associated with migration while promoting solidarity and dignity for all individuals involved.
