In brief
Senegalese farmer Mouhamed Oualy plans to join other migrants on a treacherous sea journey to Spain's Canary Islands, a route notorious for high fatalities due to harsh conditions and limited rescue infrastructure. With a growing crisis of overwhelmed systems on the islands, and a significant rise in migrant arrivals, Oualy faces an uncertain future fueled by desperation and the need to support his family. Despite the risks, he remains resolute, epitomizing the harsh realities faced by many in search of better livelihoods.
Mouhamed Oualy, a Senegalese farmer who has never seen the ocean, is preparing for a perilous journey across the Atlantic towards Spain's Canary Islands. BBC Africa Eye provides a rare glimpse into the lives of migrants like Oualy, who embark on this dangerous voyage out of desperation. The crossing from West Africa to the Canaries has become one of the deadliest pathways due to the vast ocean distances, harsh conditions, and lack of resources on arrival. Despite warnings of the overwhelmed systems on these rocky shores, the harsh economic realities and unrelenting poverty drive many, including Oualy, onto overcrowded boats driven by smugglers.Oualy, who supports his extended family and children in Senegal's Tambacounda region, has not seen them for a year. He came to the coast, working odd jobs to gather the funds needed for the passage. His circumstances mirror those of countless others from sub-Saharan Africa faced with poverty exacerbated by climate change. The Canary Islands, a primary entry point into Europe, have seen an influx of migrants due to blocked Mediterranean routes. Nearly 40,000 have arrived, doubling numbers from previous years, intensifying pressure on local resources and stirring national debates in Spain.Oualy's secretive journey involves navigating the treacherous ocean, facing dehydration, exhaustion, and mental distress. The route has already claimed 807 lives this year, with fatalities often going unrecorded. Smugglers profit from these journeys, likening the trade to drug trafficking. These dynamics further complicate international responses as local resources strain under the pressure. Oualy attempted his journey but was forced to return to Senegal when the boat's engine failed. Now recovering from injuries, he maintains hope, believing in God's will, and is determined to try again despite the risks.
