SENEGAL: Spain and Senegal sign accord to deploy Spanish helicopter patrols off country's coast in bid to halt exodus of illegal migrants

Record ID: 348228

  • Title: SENEGAL: Spain and Senegal sign accord to deploy Spanish helicopter patrols off country's coast in bid to halt exodus of illegal migrants
  • Date: 25th August 2006
  • Summary: (W4) DAKAR, SENEGAL (AUGUST 24, 2006) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SPANISH DELEGATION AT THE MEETING SENEGALESE INTERIOR MINISTER OUSMANE NGOM SIGNING THE IMMIGRATION AGREEMENT ALBERTO SAIZ CORTES, DIRECTOR OF SPAIN'S NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTRE SIGNING THE AGREEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (French) SENEGALESE INTERIOR MINISTER, OUSMANE NGOM, SAYING: "At the same time we put into practise t
  • Embargoed: 9th September 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Senegal
  • Country: Senegal
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA84FKA7Z2UOBMXE5LI2KX2OXUD
  • Story Text: Spain signed an accord with Senegal on Thursday (August 24, 2006) to deploy Spanish Civil Guards in joint naval and air patrols off the West African country to try to halt an exodus of illegal migrants heading for Europe.
    The cooperation memorandum followed months of negotiations between Spain, one of the European states worst hit by illegal immigration, and Senegal, which has become a favourite starting point for migrants setting off in rickety boats.
    Signed by top Spanish security officials and Senegal's Interior Minister Ousmane Ngom, the accord foresees Spanish Civil Guards serving on coastal patrols involving mixed European Union vessels and aircraft and the Senegalese armed forces.
    During the meeting, the minister underlined the importance of putting in place measures that would also take into account the human tragedy and the reasons behind the large number of people risking their lives to reach Europe.
    Many migrants die of hunger, thirst and exhaustion on the sea journey of more than 625 miles to the Canaries.
    Spanish officials said the deal with Senegal complemented a similar accord agreed with neighbouring Mauritania.
    "I believe it's the first step on a long path of co-operation which will be good for both countries," said Alberto Saiz Cortes, director of Spain's National Intelligence Centre.
    Operating for an initial period of nine weeks, the joint patrols will seek to detect and intercept fishing boats packed with would-be migrants leaving Senegal. They will initially involve patrol vessels, aircraft and helicopters from Spain and Italy, working with the Senegalese navy, army and police.
    Spain, located on Europe's southern flank, has enlisted help from the European Union to try to stem a flood of thousands of young, poor Sub-Saharan Africans trying to migrate into the northern continent by land and sea in search of a better life.
    "What we've signed today is the deployment of joint patrolling which will allow us to operate within the framework of the European Frontiers Agency (FRONTEX). An Italian plane, and an Italian ship will be participating along with a Spanish helicopter and Civil Guards who will carry out joint patrols with the Armed Forces and Police of Senegal," said Joan Mesquida, the head of the Spanish Civil Guards.
    More than 18,000 West African migrants have come ashore on the beaches of the Spanish Canary Islands since the start of the year, almost four times the figure for the whole of 2005.
    Mesquida, said the European vessels and aircraft would be used to detect boats carrying migrants, while the Senegalese forces would carry out the actual interception of those on board.
    The shores of Dakar are full of fishing boats and more are built every day. Some are used to carry migrants who leave at night from beaches off the Senegalese coast.
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