IMMIGRATION
MOROCCO – Many migrants killed in a stampede
The Spanish enclave of Melilla was the scene of a real drama on Friday, June 24, 2022. Migrants tried to make a massive entrance into this space in the north of Morocco. Hundreds of migrants eager to join Spain for a better life have unfortunately been trapped in a murderous stampede.
At least 23 people died from trampling or falling iron fences separating Morocco from the enclave. 76 injured including 13 serious cases. About 100 police officers were also injured. It is a real tragedy that arouses anger and indignation around the world. Many migrant advocacy associations have asked for a reliable investigation to place the responsibilities on this revolting situation.
By the voice of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish authorities have accused this Saturday, June 25 the networks of smugglers. For them, they are ‘mafias’ who traffic in human beings’. The Spanish Prime Minister considers that this is an attack on the territorial integrity of his country in a press conference held in Madrid the day after the tragedy.
The victims of the tragedy are mainly of sub-Saharan origin. Some NGOs specialized in migration issues believe that the number of deaths is higher.
This is the place to put the burning issue of migration back on the table. Should we always let people who are only asking for better-being die in inhumane conditions? What measures are the countries of Africa taking to keep their young people in despair? Do European countries promote in their trade with Africa the conditions conducive to economic growth and the development of populations? These are all questions that could be analyzed to prevent these unfortunate situations.
It is inconceivable that at the gates of these so-called polished nations, human lives would be thus shredded in the eyes of all humanity. I can’t wait for the African Union and the sub-regional organizations of the black continent to give voice. These are their children who are getting lost in this terrible spiral. The Mediterranean has almost become a marine cemetery for migrants. A few years ago, migrants were sold as slaves in Libya. It is time for all this to stop. In the name of human dignity!
The National Navy has boarded Thursday, August 24, 2024 a dugout canoe of clandestines off the coast of Saint-Louisiennes. The canoe had 97 migrants on board, including 83 Senegalese (three women and two minors). The other 14 are foreigners (12 Gambians and 02 Malians), reports the newspaper Les Échos.
According to the information of the newspaper, they were sent by the navy Thursday, aboard the patrol at sea «le Fouladou» to the Arsenal of the National Navy at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. Upon landing, they were received by the commander of the naval base of the French Navy.
It should be noted that «as soon as the navy announced the interception of this canoe, the prosecutor of the Republic opened an investigation to know the ins and outs. The investigation is entrusted to the National Directorate for Combating Smuggling of Migrants (DNLT) of the Directorate of Air and Border Police,” the newspaper added
“When asked at the outset where they were embarking, they replied that the canoe left on 21 August in Kayar. They were intercepted 250 km off the coast of Saint-Louis by the French Navy on the night of August 21 to 22,” our colleagues explain
Sixty-six (66) people arrived during the day of Thursday, August 03, 2023 in Tenerife aboard two canoes. In one of them there were 14 people and in the other 52.
Several of the migrants were transferred to health centres with various health situations, a journalist told the news. The majority of its young people are Senegalese.
As a reminder, in Africa, migrant smuggling brings 59 billion CFA francs to smugglers per year. Illicit financial flows (FFI) from the smuggling of migrants from West Africa to Europe are estimated at more than $100 million per year, 59,250,000,000 CFA francs, according to a report published by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on Friday, July 28, 2023.
“Moderate estimates of human smuggling from West Africa to Europe alone exceed $100 million,” the study, “Illicit financial flows from migrant smuggling: Trends and responses in West Africa,” said.
“In 2020, migration data showed an increase in migrant crossings from Senegal to the Canary Islands by about 1,000% compared to the 2011-2019 period,” the report notes.
With regard to Senegal, the seaway is the most popular with smugglers, the authors of the report stress. “Smugglers are using the maritime routes from Senegal to the Spanish Canary Islands as a gateway to Europe because of increasing restrictions on the Mediterranean route,” says the document.
According to the authors of this report, coastal towns like Saint Louis and Mbour are the main departure points for the Canary Islands ‘of irregular migrants [who] also leave certain fishing villages, such as Joal, Thiaroye and Soumbedioune.”
They also note the presence of candid
Illicit financial flows (FFI) from migrant smuggling from West Africa to Europe are estimated at more than $100 million per year, or 59,250,000,000 CFA francs, according to a report published by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), this Friday, July 28, 2023.
“Moderate estimates of human smuggling from West Africa to Europe alone exceed $100 million,” the study, “Illicit financial flows from migrant smuggling: Trends and responses in West Africa,” said.
“In 2020, migration data showed an increase in migrant crossings from Senegal to the Canary Islands by about 1,000% compared to the 2011-2019 period,” the report notes.
With regard to Senegal, the seaway is the most popular with smugglers, the authors of the report stress. “Smugglers are using the maritime routes from Senegal to the Spanish Canary Islands as a gateway to Europe because of increasing restrictions on the Mediterranean route,” says the document.
According to the authors of this report, coastal towns like Saint Louis and Mbour are the main departure points for the Canary Islands ‘of irregular migrants [who] also leave certain fishing villages, such as Joal, Thiaroye and Soumbedioune.”
They also note the presence of candidates for irregular migration from other West African countries, to whom smugglers “generally require full payment in advance (…) between $400 and $600.”
However, the report says, “in 2023, the use of maritime routes appears to have decreased, suggesting that COVID-19 restrictions on land borders played a role in the increased use of maritime routes between 2020 and 2022.”
On a global scale, migrant smuggling brings smugglers more than 10 billion dollars per year, or 5 925 000 000 000 CFA francs, according to estimates by the rappor
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