Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a series of agreements with Mauritania on Tuesday aimed at curbing the rising number of migrants making the perilous journey across the Atlantic to the Canary Islands.
Speaking in Nouakchott alongside Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Sánchez revealed plans to expand Spain’s circular migration program to include Mauritanians and renewed commitments between the two nations’ security forces to combat human smuggling and trafficking networks.
“Migration is not a problem,” Sánchez stated, acknowledging Spain’s need for migrant workers due to its aging population. He emphasized the importance of managing migration in a humane, safe, and orderly manner to benefit both countries.
Sánchez is currently on a three-day tour of West Africa, strengthening bilateral ties with Mauritania, Gambia, and Senegal, the primary departure points for many migrant boats heading to the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago near the African coast and a key route for migrants and refugees aiming to reach mainland Europe, have seen over 22,000 arrivals since January, more than double the number for the same period last year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
“Spain was once a nation of migrants, seeking better lives, just like those who now undertake this dangerous journey,” Sánchez noted.
Among those arriving in the Canaries are thousands of Malian refugees escaping violence in the Sahel, along with young people from Senegal, Mauritania, and other West African nations in search of better opportunities. Increasingly, more unaccompanied minors are making the journey, overwhelming the local authorities responsible for their care.
Spanish officials are preparing for a potential increase in arrivals this fall, as sailing conditions in the Atlantic improve.
This visit marks Sánchez’s second trip to Mauritania this year. In February, he visited the nation alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announcing €210 million (around $235 million) in aid to help Mauritania manage migration.
Mauritania, considered a stable presence in the volatile Sahel region, currently hosts approximately 200,000 Malian refugees on its border.
Sánchez expressed gratitude to President Ghazouani for his cooperation and announced a high-level meeting between Spain and Mauritania in 2025.
In addition to the migration and security agreements, Spain also launched a Spanish-Mauritania business council to boost investments and announced plans to open a branch of the Cervantes Institute in Mauritania to promote Spanish language and culture.