Editorial
Sep 22, 2025
Setting off with over a hundred migrants aboard a makeshift boat, Mamadou Sao crossed the Mediterranean in harrowing conditions. While some reached the Canary Islands, others lost their lives at sea. Today, he shares his story to raise awareness of the harsh reality of these perilous journeys.
Mamadou Sao will never forget that night crossing the Mediterranean. Like many young Africans, he left his country hoping for a better future in Europe. With over a hundred fellow travelers, he boarded a makeshift pirogue, heading for the Canary Islands.
“We were crammed together. Water was pouring into the canoe, and fear never left us,” recounts Mamadou, still haunted by the memory. The journey, meant to last a few days, turned into a struggle for survival. Fatigue, hunger, and thirst quickly weakened the passengers.
As the hours passed, some lost consciousness. Others did not survive the crossing. “We saw brothers die before our eyes, without being able to save them. It was one of the most difficult moments of my life,” he confides, his voice trembling.
Despite these losses, part of the group, including Mamadou, eventually reached the Spanish coast. But their arrival did not erase the physical and psychological wounds. “We were exhausted, some sick, others traumatized. This journey should never be an option for young people,” he insists.
Today, Mamadou Sao has chosen to speak out, not to incite fear, but to raise awareness . Through his voice, he calls on authorities, communities, and young people themselves to consider alternatives to irregular migration, which too often leads to tragedy.
“I want my story to serve as an example. No one deserves to risk their life like that. We need opportunities at home, so that young people no longer have to choose between dying at sea or remaining without a future.”