Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko made a heartfelt appeal to young people on Saturday, urging them to stay in Africa and seek opportunities closer to home. This comes in the wake of a devastating boat capsizing off Mauritania that claimed the lives of dozens of migrants attempting the perilous journey to Europe.
“Another shipwreck off our coast has taken the lives of many young people,” Sonko lamented in a speech at Gaston Berger University, broadcasted on his Facebook page. “It’s a tragedy, a complete loss. I want to reiterate to young people: there’s no future in overcrowded, unsafe boats.”
The incident, which occurred earlier this week, involved a traditional fishing boat carrying an estimated 170 people. It capsized off Mauritania’s coast, leaving nearly 90 dead and dozens missing.
The perilous Atlantic route is notorious for strong currents and overcrowded, often rickety, vessels. While increased vigilance in the Mediterranean has made it a less viable option, many young Africans continue to risk their lives on this path, hoping for a brighter future in Europe.
Sonko, however, painted a different picture. “The countries you aspire to reach are facing their own crises,” he pointed out. “The future belongs to Africa. You, the young generation, hold the key. Africa is the only continent with immense potential for growth and progress.”
This sentiment carries weight. According to Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO, over 5,000 migrants perished at sea attempting to reach Spain in the first half of 2024 alone. This translates to a staggering 33 deaths per day, the highest recorded since 2007, with the vast majority occurring on the Atlantic route.
