Spain and EU concerned about rapid increase in boat departures to the Canary Islands
Mauritania is turning into a main migration route to Europe. Arrivals by boat to Spain’s Canary Islands are expected to double this year, driven by more poverty-driven migration. Human traffickers exploit Mauritania’s proximity to the islands, fuelled by demand from Malians fleeing conflict and Senegalese poverty at home. The EU has unveiled an aid package worth 210 million euros for Mauritania to improve living conditions and help stop boat departures. But if more migrants get stuck there, social tensions are set to rise in the poor Sahel country as migrants compete with locals for jobs.
