Spain is seeking Morocco’s help to cut migratory flows emerging from West Africa and destined for the Canary Islands in a context marked by intensified flows to the Spanish islands and renewed cooperation with neighboring Morocco.
Spanish Ministry of the Interior said it identified an escalation of irregular migration to the Canary Islands from the countries of Sahel, which could lead to an “exacerbation of the security situation” in the Canary Islands in the summer, according to the Spanish news outlet La Informacion.
Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, is expected arrive to in the Canary Islands in the upcoming days with the results of negotiations reached with Morocco on security cooperation at the borders.
Spain already has a mechanism to enforce border control on the African Atlantic coast, covering Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Conakry, and Mauritania, Cabo Verde, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal in various stages.
The operation, called Seahorse, traces migratory journeys from their points of origin to important transit hubs and routes, using patrol boats, helicopters, and people from participating nations such as Italy, and France.
The Moroccan authorities rescued more than 14,236 migrants from the Mediterranean last year, and 97 migrants during the first quarter of this year, according to Spanish news agency EFE.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.