Spain commends Mauritania’s crackdown on irregular migration; human rights watchdogs raise alarms over potential human cost

The Spanish government has praised Mauritania for its decisive measures in curbing irregular migration flows to Spain, particularly to the Canary Islands. Spanish authorities highlighted a 32.5% drop in maritime arrivals between January and July 2025 compared to the same period last year—a reduction not seen since early 2023. This progress follows intensified security initiatives by Mauritanian authorities, supported by a broader European Union partnership formalized in a March 2025 declaration, which committed financial and logistical aid to Mauritania.

Article 5 of the agreement established joint migration management measures, credited with slashing illegal migration via the Mauritanian route by 46.1% by August 2025. Enhanced coordination between Mauritanian forces, the Spanish Guardia Civil, and EU maritime surveillance systems, including Frontex’s Seahorse and Atlantis programs, has been instrumental in these outcomes.

However, while Madrid and Brussels celebrate the success, several human rights organizations have raised alarms over the potential human cost of this cooperation. Critics argue that the outsourcing of border controls to African nations like Mauritania risks fueling abuses against migrants in transit, as security-focused crackdowns can lead to violations of fundamental rights. NGOs are urging a recalibration of migration policies to reconcile legitimate border security interests with the protection of migrants’ dignity and rights, warning that current strategies may prioritize deterrence at the expense of humanitarian obligations.