Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a new strategy to improve relations with Africa, focusing on Western Africa and the Sahel regions. This includes signing partnership agreements with The Gambia to address the surge of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands from West Africa. A memorandum of understanding on circular migration will aim to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration that benefits both countries and their citizens. Sánchez’s visit to The Gambia is part of a larger tour of West Africa to strengthen bilateral relations with Mauritania, Gambia, and Senegal, which have become key departure points for migrants.
During his tour, Sánchez emphasized the need to renew cooperation between Spain and African nations to combat human smuggling and manage migration in a humane and orderly manner. He acknowledged that migration is not a problem but poses certain challenges that must be addressed. Sánchez highlighted the importance of migrant workers in Spain’s aging society and stressed the need for moral principles, solidarity, and dignity when dealing with migration. Rather than halting migration, the focus is on regulating and managing it to benefit both societies.
The Canary Islands have seen over 22,000 arrivals by sea since January, with many migrants coming from coastal nations like Senegal, Mauritania, and The Gambia. Among these migrants are Malian refugees fleeing violence and instability in their country, as well as youth from various West African nations seeking better job opportunities. The increasing number of teenagers and children traveling alone to the Canary Islands has overwhelmed local authorities responsible for their care, posing additional challenges. Last year, over 4,000 Gambians arrived in Europe through dangerous sea routes, with a recent incident off Mauritania resulting in deaths and disappearances of migrants from Gambia and Senegal.
Sánchez’s approach focuses on partnership agreements and enhanced cooperation with African nations to address the root causes of migration, improve border security, and promote safe and legal migration channels. By prioritizing relations with Western Africa and the Sahel regions, Spain aims to create opportunities for economic development, job creation, and stability in countries of origin, reducing the need for migration. The emphasis is on managing migration flows in a way that benefits both Spain and its African partners, while upholding moral values and principles of solidarity.
The Spanish government’s new strategy recognizes the complexities of migration and the importance of addressing humanitarian, social, and security challenges posed by irregular migration flows. By engaging in dialogue and cooperation with African nations, Spain seeks to find sustainable solutions that respect the dignity and rights of migrants, while addressing the concerns of countries of origin, transit, and destination. The focus on circular migration, cooperation agreements, and shared responsibilities reflects a comprehensive approach to managing migration in a way that benefits all parties involved and contributes to a more equitable and humane immigration system. Through continued dialogue and collaboration, Spain aims to build stronger ties with African partners and develop long-term solutions to the challenges posed by irregular migration.
