The head teacher of a primary school in northern Mauritania, built specifically for the children of migrants hoping to reach Europe, says the school has far fewer pupils this year.
It seems the EU’s migration control partnership signed last year is beginning to show visible impact.
“There are fewer students now. Many families were affected by the deportations. They have left,” said Sahid Moluh.Mauritanian officials say more than 18,000 migrants were deported in the first six months of the year.
By late September, nearly 13,000 migrants traveling from Mauritania had arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands, located around 95 kilometers off Africa’s Atlantic coast ,,!! more than half the total for 2024.But even with fewer arrivals, experts warn migrants are now taking longer and more dangerous journeys.
West African migrants often travel in small wooden fishing boats from countries such as Senegal and Gambia.They attempt to reach the Canary Islands thousands of kilometers away. These trips frequently end in disaster. In August, a boat overturned near the village of Mheijrat.Most of the 160 people onboard died. Fisherman Samba Sow says the brightly painted boat still lies on the shoreline.
