By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain is scheduled to start a visit to West Africa on Tuesday, the second since the beginning of the year, where he is seeking to curb migration to the Canary Islands, as well as counter the influence of Russia in the region.
Sanchez during his visit will focus on strengthening relations with Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia, the main departure points for migrant boats.
According to data from the European Union border agency Frontex, the West African migration route has seen a 154% surge this year, with 21,620 people crossing to the Canary Islands in the first seven months.
The wave migration has put pressure on resources on the Spanish archipelago, with local authorities saying they may be forced to camp migrants in military facilities or in tents ahead of an expected rise in arrivals, as a result of calmer conditions in the Atlantic Ocean where migrants pass through.
Spanish authorities have expressed concern that additional 150,000 migrants from Africa may be set to make the dangerous crossing in the coming months.
According to Frontex data, nearly half of the new arrivals are Malians who were forced out of their country by a conflict and economic crisis in which the Russian mercenary group Wagner is involved.
During this trip, Spain will sign circular migration agreements with Gambia and Mauritania – it already has one with Senegal – allowing workers from these countries to come to Spain for short periods to meet labour needs and then return to their countries of origin, a government source said.
