Mauritania has intensified its migration control measures, leading to widespread deportations, including of recognized refugees, amid the establishment of EU-funded detention centers. This crackdown has significantly impacted migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those from Mali, Senegal, Guinea, and other neighboring countries.
Between January and April 2025, Mauritanian authorities intercepted over 30,000 migrants and dismantled 80 smuggling networks. Additionally, 119 individuals linked to these activities were arrested. These actions were in response to a surge in departures toward the Canary Islands, attributed to increased instability in the Sahel region. The European Union and Spain have bolstered cooperation with Mauritania, providing financial support and resources to enhance border security and migration management.
The EU has allocated significant funds to Mauritania to strengthen its border management and curb irregular migration. In March 2024, a €210 million agreement was signed, with €60 million designated for migration management, including the construction of detention centers. These centers have been criticized for their harsh conditions, with reports of overcrowding and inadequate facilities. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the treatment of detainees, including recognized refugees, and the use of EU funds in supporting these practices.
The intensified deportations have led to tensions at border regions, particularly in Rosso, where hundreds of migrants, including women and children, have been pushed back. Humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide adequate support due to limited resources. The situation has also strained relations between Mauritania and neighboring countries, with reports of migrants being abandoned in remote desert areas, raising serious human rights concerns.
In response to the crackdown, Mauritanian Member of Parliament Mohamed Bouy Ould Cheikh Mohamed Fadel has called for the cancellation of the migration agreement with the EU, citing human rights violations and the risk of Mauritania becoming a detention center for migrants deported from Europe. He criticized the agreement as “suspicious” and demanded its termination.
The situation in Mauritania underscores the complexities of migration management in the Sahel region and the challenges of balancing border security with human rights obligations. The role of EU funding in supporting Mauritania’s migration control measures continues to be a subject of international scrutiny and debate.
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