Spanish Prime Minister's Milestone Visit to Gambia Aims to Tackle Irregular Migration

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with Gambia's President Adama Barrow to enhance cooperation on security and migration. This landmark visit, part of a West African tour, aims to curb irregular migration to Spain's Canary Islands and strengthen bilateral relations. Over 22,000 migrants reached the Canary Islands this year.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a historic visit to Gambia as part of his tour of three West African nations to address irregular migration to Spain's Canary Islands.

In Banjul, Sánchez met with Gambia's President Adama Barrow, discussing joint efforts on security and legal migration, without providing specifics. 'Spain, my country, wants to give a new impetus to our relationship with Africa,' Sánchez stated.

Notably, this is the first visit by a Spanish prime minister to Gambia, which has a population of 2.7 million. Sánchez also revisited Mauritania, emphasizing renewed cooperation against people smuggling, and plans to meet Senegalese leaders next. The coastal African nations are key departure points for migrants aiming for the Canary Islands. Over 22,000 individuals have landed on the islands this year, according to Spain's Interior Ministry.

(With inputs from agencies.)