Spain is prepared for a spike in African immigration to the Canary Islands

The regional leader expressed concern on Friday that Spanish authorities are concerned that an additional 150,000 migrants from Africa may attempt the perilous crossing to the Canary Islands this year. The islands are already contending with more than 20,000 illegal arrivals.

“In August, we are experiencing mass arrivals due to adverse sea conditions.” “It could be complete distress in September, October, and November,” Fernando Clavijo stated at a news conference following a visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

He stated that charity organizations that engage with migrants had issued warnings regarding approximately 150,000 individuals, many of whom were escaping armed conflict in Mali. These individuals were preparing to travel to the Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean by boat, beginning their journey in neighboring Mauritania.

It was reported that maritime rescue services rescued a boat transporting 173 migrants near the island of El Hierro on Friday. There was a fatality on board.

On Tuesday, Sanchez will commence a tour of West African countries to provide assistance to local authorities in their efforts to manage unlawful migration from Mauritania, Senegal, and the Gambia, which are the primary departure points for migrant boats.

Despite his praise for the initiative, Clavijo also urged European and Spanish authorities to increase diplomatic pressure on the countries of departure.

Data from the European Union’s border agency Frontex indicates that the Canary Islands, which have a population of approximately 2.2 million, have witnessed a 154% increase in the number of migrants this year. In the first seven months, 21,620 individuals crossed the archipelago.

According to rights organizations, thousands of individuals perish at sea while traveling along that route.

Clavijo stated that the Canary Islands “cannot withstand that pressure alone” and encouraged political parties to amend the migration law to permit the transfer of thousands of underage migrants to mainland Spain. He expressed optimism that this could be accomplished in the upcoming weeks, following a failed attempt to pass the amendment a month ago.

He also stated that it was more advantageous to relocate the minors to regions that could provide them with superior living conditions than to enhance the Canaries’ reception capabilities.