AA/Saint-Louis
The number of people trying to cross illegally from Africa to Spain is increasing year by year. The Senegalese city of Saint-Louis has become an important transit point on the route of illegal immigration from Africa to the West.
Located in northern Senegal, 250 kilometers from the capital Dakar, Saint-Louis is home to Senegal’s most important fishing activities, with a coastline of approximately 40 kilometers.
This historic city, which was the political capital of French West Africa (AOF) from 1895 to 1902 during the French colonial period and the capital of Senegal and Mauritania until 1957, witnessed uncontrollable illegal migration over the last few years.
Saint-Louis has become one of the main ports for illegal immigration from Africa to Europe by sea, and governments are failing to prevent this phenomenon.
Uncontrolled industrial fishing, the negative impact of the activities of global energy companies on traditional fishing and climate change are pushing young people in the region to turn to other activities, while in Saint-Louis, fishing is the main source of income.
Migrants who wish to travel illegally to Europe embark on the coast of Saint-Louis and attempt to reach the Canary Islands by traveling approximately 1,300 kilometers across the ocean aboard makeshift fishing boats.
Many residents of Saint-Louis, but also from the interior of Senegal and other West African countries, attempt this risky journey to reach Europe.
During this journey, lasting 4 to 5 days to reach the Canary Islands, made up of 7 islands, from Saint-Louis, some boats capsized in the open sea.
– The first boat of illegal migrants arrived 30 years ago
The first illegal migrants arrived on the Canary Islands in August 1994, and for more than 30 years, illegal immigration has continued through this route.
According to data released last year by the Spanish Interior Ministry, around 230,000 people have arrived on the island illegally in 30 years.
The Spanish non-governmental organization Caminando Fronteras (Walking on Borders) also published a report in December 2024, revealing that at least 10,457 people died in 2024 trying to reach the Spanish coast illegally.
The year 2024 was “the deadliest” in the modern history of migration to Spain with an average of 30 people dying at sea every day trying to cross.
In Saint-Louis, the Anadolu correspondent spoke with Senegalese who went to Spain by this route and who have since returned to the country.
– The cost of crossing to Spain is between $500 and $700 per person
Mamadou Fall, president of the “Association of Returned Migrants from Spain”, based in Saint-Louis and founded in 2014, is trying to raise public awareness and persuade young people to migrate to Spain.
The latter explains that he was imprisoned for four years in Tenerife on the Canary Islands because he was accused of being a smuggler and the captain of the boat.
For around 10 years now, Fall has been trying to explain to young people the dangers of this journey through his association.
“Illegal immigration has reached terrible dimensions. Senegal, Europe and African societies must do something,” Fall insisted, stressing that the government should implement industrialization projects and create jobs for young people.
“In addition to stopping those who risk their lives by boarding the boats, we must stop the smugglers who make thousands of dollars from this trade. To get to the Canary Islands, you have to pay between $500 and $700 per person, while some boats carry between 150 and 200 people. Calculate the money that goes into the pockets of smugglers from a single boat. If they don’t stop, illegal immigration won’t stop.”
Stressing that Europe is still seen as a “paradise” by Africans, Fall continued:
“Some migrants get on the boat dreaming of Europe, even if they have a job here, because those who reach the Canary Islands never tell the truth to their family and loved ones, even if they live in very poor conditions. bad conditions. They post pictures of the nice parts of the city and say they are doing great. But the reality is quite different. Many migrants are in poverty. Europe is already facing many problems. As an association, we try to raise awareness of this issue in society. »
– I would never try to cross to Spain by boat again if they gave me millions
Abdurahmane Seck, 45, went to Spain in 2006 and returned to his country in 2011. The latter explains that he worked in various jobs for five years, ranging from hawking to collecting garbage in different cities in Spain.
Seck decided to return to his country because he had not received a residence permit.
“If I were given millions of dollars today, I would never try to cross by boat to Spain again. It’s not worth taking that risk. Even if you reach Spain safely, many difficulties await you. There is no more work there,” he explained.
Stressing that there are job opportunities in Senegal for those who want to work, Seck gave the following advice to young people:
“Human traffickers are not interested in your life, their concern is making money. Once they get the money, they don’t care if you get there safely. You are just a tool for them to make money. Even if you go to Spain, you will have to work in very difficult conditions. Rather stay in your country, work hard here. It is not the country you are in that will make you money, but disciplined work. Many Senegalese migrants try to send money to their families even if they don’t have enough to eat. If you want to travel to Europe, get a visa and travel. »
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