Migrants in hiding as Mauritania pushbacks drastically cut Europe arrivals
Mauritanian authorities have intensified pushbacks of migrants, deporting thousands to Mali and Senegal following an EU agreement aimed at curbing migration to Europe. Migrants, including asylum seekers, report being arrested, detained without notice, and forced to pay bribes despite holding legal documents. The campaign has driven many into hiding, drawing criticism from rights groups over violations of international refugee law.
- ▪Mauritanian authorities have deported thousands of migrants, including asylum seekers, to Mali and Senegal since 2025.
- ▪Human Rights Watch cited government figures stating 28,000 people were expelled in the first half of 2025, though Al Jazeera could not verify the number.
- ▪Migrants report being arrested without notice, having their belongings seized, and being forced to pay bribes to avoid deportation.
- ▪Some migrants with legal permits, like Aicha from Sierra Leone, were still deported and had their phones confiscated.
- ▪Local residents and business owners say they rely on migrant labor and are concerned about the economic impact of the crackdown.
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Features|MigrationMigrants in hiding as Mauritania pushbacks drastically cut Europe arrivalsFollowing an EU deal, Mauritanian authorities have rounded up and deported thousands of people to Mali and Senegal.ListenListen (9 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoMohamed, who doesn't want to be fully identified, says he was arrested and paid a bribe despite being processed as an asylum seeker [Shola Lawal/Al Jazeera]By Shola LawalPublished On 28 Apr 202628 Apr 2026Note: Al Jazeera is withholding some details of interviewees, such as surnames, to protect their identities.Nouakchott, Mauritania – In her dimly lit apartment in a quiet suburb of Nouakchott, Francina folded up laundry scattered on a low bed in…
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