More than 100 bodies of African migrants have been found in Atlantic waters off Mauritania’s coast since the beginning of the year, highlighting a growing humanitarian crisis tied to irregular migration across the region.
Mauritania’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, called the discovery a “human tragedy,” blaming the surge in deaths on criminal networks engaged in smuggling and illegal migration. He revealed that over 500 bodies were recovered in 2024 alone, including more than 100 in recent weeks.
Mauritania has increasingly become a key departure point for migrants attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands — a perilous 1,000-kilometer sea journey often undertaken in overcrowded, unsafe vessels. Fatalities on the route are rising sharply.
In response, Mauritania has intensified deportations of migrants, particularly from neighboring countries like Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. This has triggered strong regional backlash, with Mali leading the criticism, accusing Mauritania of prioritizing expulsions over saving lives.
Malian authorities claim deported citizens have faced violence and abuse, labeling the actions a “flagrant violation of human rights.” Migrant rights organizations within Mauritania, including SOS Esclaves, have also condemned the “inhuman conditions” in which migrants are detained prior to expulsion.
