Editorial
Sep 29, 2025
In the space of five days, the Senegalese navy conducted three rescue operations, assisting 683 migrants who had departed from a neighboring country. Departures from Gambia and Guinea continue to rise, despite increased controls along the coast.
Last week was particularly intense for the Senegalese navy. Between Monday 22 and Saturday 27 September, 683 migrants were rescued off the coast of Dakar during three separate operations.
The first operation took place on Monday, September 22: 259 candidates for irregular emigration were intercepted about 100 kilometers from the capital, according to the national navy on the social network X.
Three days later, on Thursday, another 142 people were rescued about 120 km from Dakar. Finally, on Saturday, a third operation rescued 282 migrants still adrift "off the coast of Dakar".
Authorities stated that the three canoes had set sail from "a neighboring country," without providing details.
Dismantling of a smuggling network
Meanwhile, the fight against clandestine smuggling networks continues. On Thursday, Senegalese police announced the arrest of a suspected smuggler in Missirah, in the southwest of the country. The man was attempting to put 16 migrants on board a pirogue bound for the Canary Islands.
These arrests and rescue operations illustrate a persistent trend: departures are increasing from Gambia and Guinea , two preferred departure points for exiles to circumvent increased surveillance of the Senegalese and Mauritanian coasts.
Photo credit/Reuters