Spain and Mauritania sign new migration agreement

On Tuesday, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to announce a series of migration agreements aimed at regulating the flow of migrants rather than stopping it completely, as reported by the Associated Press.

"Migration is not a problem despite the growing rhetoric in Europe," Sanchez stated, highlighting Spain's need for migrant workers. He emphasized the importance of managing migration "in a humane, safe, and orderly way" to benefit both countries.

Mauritania, along with Senegal and Gambia, has become a key departure point for boats making the risky journey to the Canary Islands. According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, over 22,000 migrants have arrived on the Canary Islands since January, more than double the number for the same period last year. This surge has strained local resources, with authorities warning that migrants may need to be housed in tents, as reported by Reuters.

Spanish authorities fear up to 150,000 additional African migrants could arrive in the coming months when sea conditions improve.

Many of these migrants are fleeing violence in the Sahel, particularly from Mali, while others are seeking better economic opportunities. Spain's migration policy includes a guest worker program that allows migrants to work legally in Spain and return to their home countries. The agreement with Mauritania reportedly incorporates a similar approach.