In the first nine months of the year, the number of migrants crossing through the west Mediterranean decreased by 1%, while in the central Mediterranean, the journeys plummeted by 64%. However, there has been a sharp increase in the number of migrants using the West African route, with Frontex figures showing a surge of 100% this year.

Ousmane*, a young man from Senegal, made the week-long journey to the Canary Islands on a rickety wooden boat, surrounded by lifeless bodies and fearing for his own life. “Women cry and cry, and so do the men, just because it is so hard to be in the bottom of the boat, surrounded by death,” he told the Telegraph. “Sometimes you even lose your memory and black out.” Ousmane was fortunate enough to complete his journey, but many of his fellow passengers were not as lucky.

Tragically, the death toll along the West African route has surpassed 800 this year, a staggering 76% increase compared to the same period last year. Authorities fear that the real number of deaths may be even higher.

The dangerous journey has become a major topic of discussion in Senegal, the Canary Islands, and mainland Spain. In September, at least 30 bodies were found on a boat off the coast of Senegal, and in August, 24 bodies were recovered by Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service. Even children were among the victims.

The reasons for the surge in migration through this route are complex and multifaceted. Inhira Garcia Belda, a social integrator for asylum seekers in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, explains that “we are talking about thousands of people, some of them are looking for a better job in Europe, others are asylum seekers… fleeing because of Macky Sall’s regime.”

Poverty is a major factor driving people out of Senegal, according to Douglas Yates, an associate professor who specializes in African politics at the American Graduate School in Paris. “A typical Senegalese person eats rice and if they can get it, a little fish. That’s it… so this kind of poverty, which has been around forever, is driving people away. There are no real jobs or opportunities,” he explains. Yates also points out that a significant number of the migrants taking this perilous journey are young men who are easily influenced by what they see on social media. “Everybody there has a phone, so they see the rich world and they look at their own situation and see there are no opportunities. They also see Senegalese people, especially in the capital, getting rich,” he adds.

The surge in migration through the West African route is a tragic reminder of the desperate situation that many people around the world face. It is imperative that countries work together to address the root causes of this migration and find sustainable solutions to help those who are forced to undertake such dangerous journeys in search of a better life. This issue requires a concerted effort from both African and European countries to tackle issues such as poverty, lack of opportunities, and political instability. Only by working together can we hope to prevent further loss of life and create a safer and more secure world for all

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