Recent interceptions by the Moroccan navy of 141 people attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Spain’s Canary Islands highlight the growing scale of migration from West Africa. This wave of migration has intensified since the start of the year and raises numerous security and human rights concerns.
Moroccan authorities said all the people on board the boat, originally from sub-Saharan Africa, were rescued off the coast of Western Sahara, a disputed territory that Morocco has controlled since 1975. This interception, the largest reported by Moroccan authorities this year, highlights the risks faced by migrants who undertake this perilous journey across the Atlantic.
The Canary Islands, located around 100 kilometers from the Moroccan Atlantic coast, are attracting more and more migrants in search of a better life in Europe. The makeshift boats often leave from the south of the Gambia and travel up to 10 days at sea before reaching their destination. This migration route has become increasingly busy, with a growing flow of migrants arriving in the Canaries.
Spain has reported a significant increase in the number of migrants arriving in the Canaries, with more than 11,000 arrivals recorded through February 15, more than six times more than the same period the previous year. The majority of migrants embarked from Mauritania, which recently signed a 210 million euro deal with the European Union to strengthen migration patrols and provide humanitarian aid.
This migratory wave raises questions about the management of migration in the Mediterranean and the need for a humanitarian and coordinated approach to face this complex challenge. It is imperative that local and international governments work together to protect the rights of migrants and find lasting solutions to meet their most basic needs.