A Senegalese farmer named Mouhamed Oualy, who has never been to sea, is preparing to embark on a dangerous sea journey that has turned the Atlantic Ocean into a mass grave. Oualy has been called by the boat guys and is urging others to pray for him as the time has come for him to set sail. The BBC Africa Eye has been granted unprecedented access to the world of migrants attempting to reach Europe through the treacherous crossing between West Africa and Spain’s Canary Islands. Oualy is determined to be one of the migrants to reach the archipelago, despite the warnings from the regional government about the overwhelming and breaking point conditions awaiting them.
Packed onto an overcrowded pirogue, a traditional wooden fishing canoe, Oualy faces the unforgiving seas of the Atlantic Ocean, with the journey estimated to be between 1,000km and 2,000km depending on the departure point. Many migrants on this route suffer from severe motion sickness, dehydration, and intense fear, with some becoming delirious at night surrounded by dark waters. The number of migrants arriving in El Hierro has more than doubled the island’s population.
Oualy, who left his family in Senegal to work as a motorbike taxi driver near the coast, has been saving money to board one of the vessels heading to the Canary Islands. He fears being scammed and has made an agreement with the smugglers to pay only if the boat successfully reaches its destination. The journey is perilous, with many boats disappearing and hundreds of lives lost. If Oualy survives, he hopes to support his family but keeps his plans secret to avoid causing them worry.
The Canary Islands have become a major gateway for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe, with a significant increase in arrivals in recent years. The local government is struggling to cope with the influx, leading to concerns about rising tensions and xenophobia among the population. The rise in arrivals has sparked a national debate in Spain over how to address irregular migration, with calls for more support for those arriving, especially unaccompanied children.
As Oualy sets off on his journey, the risks are high, with many migrants losing their lives on the Atlantic route. Criminal networks profit from trafficking migrants, with little chance of being detected. Despite the dangers, the smugglers continue to operate, viewing migrants as commodities to be transported like drugs or weapons. The situation is dire, with many lives lost at sea in pursuit of a better future in Europe.