On March 7, the European Union and Mauritania signed a migration deal worth 210 million euros ($227m) in an effort to combat undocumented migration to the Canary Islands. Spearheaded by the EU and pushed for by the Spanish government, the agreement aims to reduce arrivals by supporting Mauritanian border and security forces to combat people smuggling and human trafficking as well as enhancing border management and surveillance capacities. The deal also includes funds for job creation, strengthening the asylum system, and legal migration schemes in Mauritania.
However, previous EU externalization policies in Mauritania have shown little success in achieving their intended objectives. The deal has sparked public backlash in Mauritania, which could destabilize the country. Past efforts to curb migration from Mauritania, such as the deployment of foreign security forces and financial aid, have only temporarily reduced sea arrivals in the Canary Islands but have not addressed the root causes of migration.
Despite the EU’s continued efforts to restrict movement through agreements and funding, migration routes continue to shift, leading to increased arrivals on the Canaries. The ongoing negotiations for a Status Agreement between the EU and Mauritania, which would allow Frontex deployment in the country, further highlight the challenges and potential risks of externalizing border management.
The large-scale funding of the latest migration deal and the societal uproar it has generated in Mauritania distinguish it from previous externalization efforts. The agreement has sparked concerns about resettling “illegal immigrants” in the country and has exacerbated racial tensions and social polarization. The EU’s emphasis on border control in Mauritania may further marginalize vulnerable populations and hinder the country’s stability.
To break the cycle of futile border externalization policies, it is essential for the people in Global South countries like Mauritania to have more say in their government’s engagement with external actors. This approach would enable migration policies that are more reflective of regional realities and prioritize the interests of those at risk of exploitation under the current system.