The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, reiterated this Wednesday the beneficial effects of regular migration, but he considerably hardened his discourse on migration by describing as “essential” the return to their country of those who arrive irregularly in Spain. This was stated by the president during an appearance in Dakar, Senegal, the third stop on his official trip to Africa.
“This return sends a discouraging, clear, clear and strong message to the mafias and those who put themselves in their hands, but essentially because European and Spanish legislation requires it,” said Sánchez during an event at the Instituto Cervantes in Dakar during which the “Africa Alliance Advances” initiative was launched to promote investment in Senegal, the last stop on the tour that also took him to Mauritania and Gambia.
It was in this speech that he publicly raised for the first time during his tour the need for the return of people who arrived illegally in Spain. He did so after discussing the current migratory pressure and insisting on his defence of “regular and orderly” migration, as he maintains that it opens the way to prosperity and economic and cultural development and is good for both the country of origin and the one that receives them.
Along the same lines, Sánchez highlighted the importance of circular migration that Spain promotes with several countries, including Senegal, and through which workers are hired in their country of origin to carry out seasonal work in Spanish territory and, once finished, they return to their country. Pedro Sánchez assured that security is an absolute priority and that is why he will continue to support Senegal in this area in general and in particular in matters of migration.
The Prime Minister regretted that criminal networks of human trafficking “continue to grow and play with the lives of thousands of people” and are associated with other crimes such as “illicit trafficking and terrorism.” “To combat this threat,” said Sánchez, “the return of those who arrive irregularly in Spain is essential.”
