- A dugout canoe carrying 29 illegal migrants yesterday sailed on the beach of Yoff, a suburb of Senegal's capital Dakar, police Spokesman, Lt. Col Alioune Ndiaye, confirmed. Unconfirmed reports said 22 dead bodies were to have been washed away by the sea.
On the way to the Yoff district hospital, Senegalese police officers confirmed the death of one migrant - in addition to those allegedly having died at sea. Doctors are said to be checking the health conditions of several others.
It is rumoured that the canoe, which departed from the southern part Senegal, had over 100 youths, who wanted to sail through to Spain's Canary Islands in search of greener pastures. The patched boat is also reported to be at sea for over two weeks.
Most people believe that several other crew of the boat might have been feared dead at sea.
With the elections fast approaching and the government seeming to lose its popularity and grip of power, Senegal had earlier delayed the signing of a migration deal with Spanish government. Among others the deal would allow Madrid to repatriate illegal Senegalese migrants from its territory.
The Spanish government however announced the establishment of a new agency that is to recruit Senegalese labour legally to the Spanish market. Spain in these days is setting up its first-ever African labour recruitment office in Senegal.
The issue of repatriation has become politically hot in Senegal, and during the last few months, the Dakar government has been strongly criticised by the opposition. President Abdoulaye Wade has been slammed for being "servile" in relations with Madrid for accepting repatriations without necessary guarantees given by the Spaniards in exchange for promises of some future cooperation aid.
Lately, this has become one of the principal opposition arguments against the Senegalese government in the heated national political debate. The political climate on Dakar is growing hotter day by day, as Senegal is approaching its national election in February 2007. President Wade cannot feel safe of his re-election if he chides with the migration issue.
Diplomatic complications between the two countries heightened at the end of May when Dakar government suspended repatriations from Canary Islands, accusing Spain for not respecting international legislation in its treatment of Senegalese citizens. The repatriated talked about "treason" as they had been promised flights to continental Spain, and they had never accepted repatriation.
But the issue also activates non-political groups. A group of Senegalese women who lost their sons while embarking on the dangerous route are now campaigning against clandestine immigration. These women previously contributed on a weekly basis to provide boat fare for youths in their locality.
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