Senegal unveils special budget program to combat irregular migration amid tragedy at sea
Senegal has launched a new budgetary initiative aimed at tackling irregular migration, as the country grapples with a series of tragic incidents involving migrants attempting dangerous sea journeys.
The program, named “Prevention and Fight Against Irregular Migration,” was announced by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.
The move comes as Senegal faces heightened scrutiny following a surge in departures and fatal incidents involving clandestine migrants.
The most recent tragedy occurred on 8 September, when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Mbour, leading to several deaths.
In his address, President Faye acknowledged the complex nature of irregular migration, which is often fueled by well-organized human trafficking networks.
“These traffickers of human lives and purveyors of false dreams must face justice for their actions,” Faye declared.
He further urged Prime Minister Amadou Diop to engage in immediate, inclusive national consultations to recalibrate Senegal’s strategy against illegal migration.
Harsh Penalties for Human Traffickers
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, President Faye emphasized the need for stronger legal measures.
“The smugglers must be sanctioned in accordance with the severity of their crimes,” he said, calling for enhanced preventive measures through collaboration between government ministers.
The president also stressed the urgency of bolstering the country’s inter-ministerial framework to combat irregular migration.
He directed the Prime Minister to lead strategic oversight of the efforts, with an emphasis on early warning systems, increased community engagement, and targeted awareness campaigns—particularly aimed at the youth.
The Mediterranean Death Toll Mounts
The sinking off Mbour that claimed 26 lives was just one in a series of recent tragedies. The migrants, who had set off from the coastal town 80 kilometers from Dakar, were attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.
Following the incident, the boat’s captain turned himself in to authorities.
According to NGO Caminando Fronteras, over 5,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean Sea in the first five months of this year alone—an average of 33 deaths per day—as they sought to reach Spanish territories such as Ceuta and Melilla.
Many of the boats departing from Senegal’s shores are dangerously overcrowded, carrying hundreds of migrants desperate for a better life, despite the deadly risks.
This special program and reinforced efforts by Senegal’s government aim to curb this escalating crisis and save lives before more migrants perish at sea.
