Madrid's Unique Method to Migration from Africa

Madrid is adopting a distinctly different path from several developed states when it comes to immigration strategies and relations toward the continent of Africa.

Although nations including the US, Britain, France and Germany are slashing their development aid budgets, the Spanish government continues dedicated to enhancing its involvement, even from a modest foundation.

Current Programs

Recently, the Spanish capital has been hosting an AU-supported "international gathering on persons of African origin". The African diaspora summit will discuss corrective fairness and the creation of a fresh assistance program.

This constitutes the most recent sign of how Madrid's leadership is seeking to deepen and expand its cooperation with the continent that rests only a few kilometres to the southern direction, beyond the Gibraltar passage.

Policy Structure

During summer External Affairs Minister the Spanish diplomat launched a recent guidance panel of prominent intellectual, foreign service and cultural figures, more than half of them African, to supervise the implementation of the comprehensive Madrid-Africa plan that his administration unveiled at the conclusion of the previous year.

Fresh consular offices below the Sahara desert, and partnerships in commerce and education are planned.

Migration Management

The difference between the Spanish method and that of others in the West is not just in expenditure but in tone and philosophy – and especially noticeable than in dealing with migration.

Similar to different EU nations, Administration Head Pedro Sanchez is looking for ways to control the influx of irregular arrivals.

"In our view, the immigration situation is not only a question of moral principles, unity and honor, but also one of rationality," the prime minister stated.

Over 45,000 persons undertook the dangerous ocean journey from Africa's west coast to the island territory of the Canary Islands last year. Estimates of those who lost their lives while trying the crossing vary from 1,400 to a astonishing 10,460.

Practical Solutions

Spain's leadership needs to shelter recent entrants, process their claims and oversee their integration into larger population, whether transient or more enduring.

However, in language markedly different from the adversarial communication that comes from many European capitals, the Spanish administration publicly recognizes the challenging monetary conditions on the region in West Africa that push people to risk their lives in the endeavor to achieve EU territory.

And it is trying to exceed simply refusing entry to incoming migrants. Rather, it is developing creative alternatives, with a promise to encourage human mobility that are secure, organized and regular and "mutually beneficial".

Financial Collaboration

On his trip to the West African nation the previous year, Sanchez emphasized the contribution that immigrants make to the national finances.

Madrid's administration funds educational programs for unemployed youth in nations including the West African country, notably for irregular migrants who have been repatriated, to help them develop sustainable income sources in their native country.

And it has expanded a "rotational movement" scheme that gives persons from the region short-term visas to come to Spain for restricted durations of temporary employment, mainly in agriculture, and then return.

Geopolitical Relevance

The fundamental premise guiding the Spanish approach is that the Iberian nation, as the EU member state nearest to the continent, has an essential self interest in Africa's progress toward inclusive and sustainable development, and stability and safety.

This fundamental reasoning might seem evident.

However the past had directed Spain down a quite different path.

Apart from a few Maghreb footholds and a minor equatorial territory – today's independent the Central African nation – its imperial growth in the historical period had mainly been directed toward the Americas.

Future Outlook

The heritage aspect encompasses not only promotion of the Spanish language, with an enhanced representation of the language promotion body, but also schemes to help the movement of scholarly educators and investigators.

Protection partnership, action on climate change, women's empowerment and an expanded diplomatic presence are expected elements in contemporary circumstances.

Nevertheless, the strategy also places significant emphasis it places on supporting democratic ideas, the African Union and, in especial, the regional West African group the West African economic bloc.

This represents positive official support for the entity, which is presently facing significant challenges after observing its five-decade milestone spoiled by the withdrawal of the Sahelian states – the West African nation, Mali and Niger – whose ruling military juntas have declined to adhere with its standard for political freedom and effective leadership.

Simultaneously, in a statement directed equally toward the national citizenry as its African collaborators, the external affairs department declared "supporting the African diaspora and the battle against prejudice and anti-foreigner sentiment are also crucial objectives".

Fine words of course are only a initial phase. But in contemporary pessimistic worldwide environment such discourse really does stand out.