Mauritanias pushback efforts sharply reduce migrant arrivals in Europe

Mauritanian Authorities Round Up and Deport Thousands of Migrants

In Nouakchott, Mauritania, authorities have rounded up and deported thousands of migrants to Mali and Senegal following an EU deal. Four individuals, including Francina, a 23-year-old native of the Republic of Congo, have come forward to share their experiences.

Francina arrived in Mauritania in 2023 and initially felt welcomed by locals. However, she reported that police officials began approaching people who “looked like” migrants on the streets, detaining them for deportation. Francina was detained twice and asked to pay a fine of 25,000 Mauritanian ouguiya each time.

Rights groups, including a United Nations expert panel, have raised concerns about the legality of arrests and forced deportations under international refugee law. Some authorities have accused migrants of intentionally complicating the process of obtaining legal papers by delaying procedures.

According to reports, hundreds of deportations took place in 2025, with some people deported without notice or able to take their valuables with them. Human Rights Watch reported that 28,000 people were “expelled” in the first six months of 2025.

Mauritanian media have also reported on the crackdown, citing cases where migrants were arrested at markets and driven to the border with Senegal despite having legal permits. Some migrants have been beaten in detention and had their valuables stolen.

Locals are divided on the issue, with some business owners expressing concern about the disappearance of young migrants who used to provide services such as plumbing and electrical work. The Mauritanian government has not commented on the matter.

Mauritania is a popular departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Atlantic route. In 2023, the number of migrants leaving Mauritania rose to a record, with about 80 percent of those arriving in the Canary Islands traveling from Mauritania.

Source: Al Jazeera