EU leaders unveil new plan to curb people-smuggling

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, have revealed proposals for a €210 million partnership with Mauritania aimed at reducing people-smuggling to the Canary Islands and initiating energy and infrastructure projects for mutual benefit.

More travel to Spain’s islands expected

Upcoming figures from Frontex, the EU’s border agency, are anticipated to demonstrate a significant increase in the number of individuals undertaking the perilous journey from West African shores to the Spanish islands over the past year.

The leaders of the EU met with Mauritania’s President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, on Thursday morning to discuss “security, migration, and stability in the Sahel region.” Von der Leyen praised Ghazouani for his country’s support for 150,000 refugees and committed to providing humanitarian aid as part of the comprehensive package expected to be finalized in the spring.

She also announced financial backing for a new high-voltage power line connecting the capital to the southeast of the country and the enhancement of roads to the north. In this northern region, Mauritania aims to develop wind, solar, and hydrogen energy supplies in collaboration with the EU.

Furthermore, support will be provided for training defence forces to assist in securing the border with Mali. Von der Leyen emphasized the critical role Mauritania plays in maintaining stability in the precarious Sahel region.

EU is trying to increase influence in Africa

China and Russia have traditionally viewed investing in African infrastructure as a means of exerting influence, but the European Union is also expressing interest in fortifying security in West Africa. This comes as France’s influence in countries like Mali and Burkina Faso is perceived to have diminished significantly.

Prime Minister Sánchez emphasized Mauritania’s vital role as a democratic reference for stability in the Sahel, a region crucial for both Spain and Europe. He noted the challenges in the area, including the fall of democratic governments, increased terrorist attacks, a surge in refugees and internally displaced people, and the exacerbation of an already severe food security crisis.

The groundwork for a partnership with Mauritania was laid in October, with the EU and President Ghazouani planning foreign investment to support Mauritania’s decarbonization, backed by the European Investment Bank.

President von der Leyen highlighted the tarps migrants and refugees might encounter, labelling the Atlantic people-smuggling route as “one of the most dangerous in the world.”

Mauritania, along with its southern neighbour Senegal, serves as a significant departure point for thousands attempting to reach the Canary Islands. Reports indicate that this route is now the “most active” for people smugglers enticing travellers into high-risk journeys to the EU.

According to data from the Spanish interior ministry, 7,270 individuals were smuggled across the 900-mile stretch of water in January, a significant increase from 566 in the same month in 2023. Prime Minister Sánchez expressed his commitment to strengthening existing collaboration on border control and exploring avenues for facilitating regular migration between the two countries.