A thirteen-month-old baby recently drowned while crossing with her mother from Morocco to the Canary Islands in a wooden boat. The Spanish territories continue to draw migrants from Western Africa, costing thousands of lives.
In the early 2000s, the Senegalese coast was a main departure point for migrants trying to reach Europe via Spain and the Canary Islands. The migrant route has since changed, and most migrants now pass through either Libya or Morocco. InfoMigrants went to Thiaroye-sur-Mer, a small fishing village on the outskirts of Dakar, where the majority of the unemployed youth have their minds set on one thing: Going to Europe.
After spending seven years in Spain, Issa went back to live in his village in Senegal. He told InfoMigrants that many people who are headed to Europe underestimate how hard life can be for migrants.
Angela Merkel's government has declared Africa a policy focus and Germany's presence on the continent has expanded significantly. However, aid organizations say in a new report that the country has the wrong priorities.
A bus driver in Italy is facing charges of kidnapping and attempted mass murder after he set fire to the vehicle he was driving and threatened at least fifty school children on board. Police say the man, an Italian of Senegalese background, said he wanted migrant deaths at sea to come to an end.
Anszou Cissé is a young Senegalese migrant in Italy, who will soon be evicted from the Castelnuovo di Porto CARA reception center and sent away. He is also the pride and glory of the local football club, which is trying to keep him against all odds.
The 15 minors stuck on board the Sea-Watch 3 for almost two weeks spoke to ANSA about their journey and their future dreams in Europe. They had been refused entry to Italian ports after being rescued at sea in January. Their traumatic experiences continue to haunt them.
Abdou Faye is 34 and from Senegal. In 2015 he arrived in Sicily by boat and was accused of people smuggling by his fellow passengers. Tried in an Italian court, he was found guilty and served his sentence, first in prison and then under house arrest. This summer as he completed the sentence, it was overturned and his innocence restored.
This is the story of Momodou, a 23-year-old Senegalese who fled conflict and is now working as a cultural mediator in Italy. As part of an event held by Centro Astalli in Rome, he spoke about how there was no other option than to use traffickers to get to Libya, and that he had suffered abuse and violence.
The Red Cross has warned of an increase in the number of migrants departing from the coast of West Africa to Spain. Many die along the way and their recovered bodies are buried directly on the beach without being identified.
As the German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues her three-nation African visit, migration remains high on her agenda. Across the continent, millions of people flee their homes because of war or persecution. Others from countries like Nigeria - the last stop on Merkel's tour, leave because they want a better life for themselves and their families. Once in Europe, some will be granted protection, but others won't be so lucky.
Two young migrants in Italy are training for triathlon contests with the help of a project supported by the Tuscan region to promote social inclusion and employment through sport.