Spain Signs Migration Agreements with Mauritania

Spain has signed agreements with Mauritania and The Gambia to combat illegal migration and promote legal pathways for migrants during Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's West Africa tour. The bilateral agreements include memorandums on 'circular migration', focusing on labor needs particularly for young people and women, alongside commitments to fight human trafficking and organized crime. Sánchez emphasized the need for humane treatment of migrants and the importance of collaboration against smuggling networks, stating that 'migration is not a problem, but a necessity'. The agreements come in response to a significant rise in migrant arrivals to Spain, with over 22,000 reaching the Canary Islands this year alone, a 126% increase compared to the previous year. Sánchez's tour also includes Gambia and Senegal, which are key departure points for many migrants attempting the perilous Atlantic crossing to Europe. Spain aims to manage migration more effectively while maintaining a focus on cooperative efforts with its West African partners.