Editorial
Sep 30, 2025
In the crushing silence of the Mauritanian desert, between burning sand and an endless horizon, thousands of migrants attempt each year to cross this hostile territory to reach the Maghreb and, beyond, Europe. Among them, Alpha Sidibé, a young man from West Africa, agreed to share his journey, marked by pain but also by hope.
The departure, between hope and disillusionment
Alpha Sidibé left his native country with a dream: to offer a better future to his family. Like many young people, he saw Europe as a promise of opportunity and dignity. "I sold my meager possessions and entrusted my savings to smugglers, thinking that the journey would be difficult but possible," he confides.
The Mauritanian desert, a deadly trap
Very quickly, the journey turned into an ordeal. Crossing the Mauritanian desert revealed the brutality of irregular migration:
Temperatures exceeding 45 degrees, with no shelter or landmarks.
Shortage of water and food.
Vehicles broke down, leaving passengers to their fate.
"We walked for endless hours, some did not survive. The sand swallowed our steps, and the heat made us lose our minds," Alpha recounts in a trembling voice.
Solidarity in the midst of despair
Yet, in this inhumane crossing, acts of solidarity saved lives. "Among migrants, we shared every drop of water, every piece of bread. It was brotherhood in suffering," he said.
These moments remind us that behind the cold statistics of migration lie human destinies, made of courage and sacrifice.
An appeal to collective conscience
Alpha Sidibé's testimony highlights the extreme risks faced by migrants in the desert. Every step is a struggle against death, every night a source of uncertainty.
"I would like young people to understand that the path is more dangerous than they imagine. I'm not saying not to dream, but to think before leaving," he warns.
Between pain and hope
Today, Alpha Sidibé still bears the scars of that journey. But despite the suffering, he retains a hope: that one day, migration routes will no longer be synonymous with tragedy and that every young person will be able to build their future at home or elsewhere, but in safety and dignity.