(AFP) A steep rise in the number of arrivals of migrants in Spain’s Canary Islands from Africa has fuelled a fierce debate in the country over how to tackle illegal immigration.
The issue was thrust into the spotlight during a three-day visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to West Africa which wrapped up Thursday.
The trip was aimed at curbing the record number of unauthorised migrants arriving in the Atlantic archipelago in search of a better life in Europe.
“Spain is committed to safe, orderly and regular migration,” the Socialist premier said soon after he arrived Tuesday in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, in the first stop of his tour which also included Gambia and Senegal.
