Spain’s Canary Islands are facing an unprecedented increase in migrant arrivals, mainly from Senegal. Among these migrants is Abdoulaye Thimbo Samb, a Senegalese actor known in Spain for his role in television series. The latter recently found his older brother, who made the perilous boat crossing from the Senegalese coast to the Canaries.
Abdoulaye Thimbo Samb had already taken this dangerous route in 2006, during the cayucos crisis. He was 17 at the time and had spent months sleeping on the streets and barely eating. His mother recently informed him that his older brother had decided to try the same adventure. Faced with fear and worry, Abdoulaye set out to find his brother, who is currently in a reception center in Tenerife.
For Abdoulaye, there is no question that his brother would experience the same difficulties and suffering that he experienced. So he took it upon himself to ensure that he had food to eat and a roof over his head to sleep in for as long as he was there. This story of unexpected reunion once again highlights the reality of migrants who risk their lives to try to reach Europe.
This wave of massive arrivals of migrants on the coasts of the Canaries poses a considerable challenge to the Spanish authorities. Since the start of 2023, nearly 23,000 migrants, mainly Senegalese, have landed in the archipelago. This situation highlights the ongoing migration crisis and calls for a coordinated international response to address this humanitarian problem.
It is important to point out that the road between Senegal and the Canary Islands is known to be one of the most dangerous in the world. Migrants often find themselves crammed into frail makeshift boats, exposed to bad weather and the dangers of the sea. Many lose their lives along the way, making this crossing a real game of Russian roulette.
This personal story highlights the plight of migrants who risk everything to hope for a better life. It also calls for reflection on the root causes of these forced migrations and for concerted action to find lasting solutions.
In conclusion, the reunion of Abdoulaye Thimbo Samb with his older brother, who successfully made the dangerous crossing from the Senegalese coast to the Canary Islands, highlights the reality of migrants who risk their lives to reach Europe. This story highlights the urgency of an international response to the ongoing migration crisis and highlights the need to find lasting solutions to prevent these human tragedies from recurring.