Dark Waters: Africa's deadliest migration route - BBC Africa Eye Documentary

BBC Africa Eye investigates what is fast becoming the world’s deadliest migration route: the perilous Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Father-of-two Mouhamed has never been to sea, but he is about to take what is fast becoming the deadliest migrant journey in the world: the Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Facing days, even weeks, on the open ocean, this year more than 70,000 irregular migrants and refugees are expected to attempt this perilous journey, many of them in overcrowded wooden boats.

From Senegal, Mouhamed will have to survive the treacherous crossing with little more than a handful of biscuits and a few bottles of water, all to achieve his dream of making it to the southern border of Europe. For all those who make it to the Canaries, there will be thousands who die trying. It’s a tragedy unfolding in real time, buried under world headlines.

In this hard-hitting investigation, #BBCAfricaEye reporter Mame Cheikh Mbaye takes viewers into the secretive world of migrants hoping to escape conflict and extreme poverty in Senegal and neighbouring countries, and what they hope will be a brighter future in Europe.

Mame Cheikh follows Mouhamed as he prepares himself for a journey that, one way or another, will alter the trajectory of his life forever. Negotiating with the criminals organising the crossing, getting ready without alerting police suspicion, before finally receiving the call from his smuggler to head to a secret hideout in preparation for a midnight departure. Mouhamed’s story intimately captures his journey, the viewer is with him throughout, including when he is in an open boat en route to the Canary Islands.

Mame Cheikh also talks to the families who have lost loved ones while attempting the crossing, secures rare access to the smugglers organising the migrant boats and meets with the Spanish authorities who are on the front line disrupting the criminal networks involved in this deadly trade. Throughout the film, he explores some of the motivations which are driving tens of thousands onto the boats in search of what they think could be a better life… only for many to perish, turning the Atlantic Ocean into a mass grave.

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#Senegal #CanaryIslands #Migrants #Documentary #Refugees #Refugee #Migrantes #Canarias #AfricaNews #BBCAfrica #investigativejournalism

[simeonkwendo]

Leaving your family behind for years must be one of the most difficult decisions to make. Africa will change once we get rid of greedy leaders and corruption.

[elizamuriuki]

I wish Africans would just love Africa and stay here, hold our leaders accountable and make this continent better. Africa is home.

[AndrewInVLC]

I recently moved to Valencia Spain and have met two guys who took that journey. One from Senegal and one is from Gambia. They showed me video on their phone. I can say, while they are thankful to have survived the journey, life is still very difficult for them here in Valencia, as they don't have the proper papers to obtain work legally. They do have shelter in a church that works with the immigrants, and they attend spanish language classes. I pray for them.

[JakubKrzyzynski]

I'm so impressed with the reporter. He speaks so many languages! ❤️

[MamadouSowe-wc]

Ohh my God, i experienced this journey last year October. I was in water the Atlantic ocean for 8 days before reaching Canary islands. Had i known i would have never embarked on this deadly journey despite surviving. I left my Job( teacher) and came to Spain thinking life will easy here but thats not the case. It's has been 1 year since I came and still now am not working. We are in a refugee camp with bad living conditions but am grateful as I survive. I will never advice anyone to embark on this deadly journey( back way) not even my enemies.

[winny]

As a Kenyan this year we have shown the world instead of running away from your problems stay back and flight for wat you want from your government and i hope its high time all Africans consider the same for the benefit of our coming generations.

[lg]

All of these countries need people to tell them the truth. Life in Europe with no work visa, no skill and no education is not going to look much different than the home country. Especially with automation of entry level jobs

[CaremaP-ddih]

May all my brothers & sisters who died trying to cross the ocean in search of greener pastures rest in perfect peace. 🥹🙏🏽

[ourpicks]

As a Kenyan I don’t understand why the Senegalese are running away from their country and embarking on such dangerous journeys when Senegal is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa! They also have a good government system too! They have fought for a better government and now the best thing they can do is stay and make Senegal the country of their dreams!

[rony-vszj]

Stay home and vote wisely! Stop
Voting for 80 year olds who have no interests of developing the country only their pockets! Start with bottom guy and to the top! Power to ppl not individuals!
Ask EU and western countries to invest with profitable returns not leech onto your resources!

[angelasanchez]

Im so impressed with the reporter who did this vid he knows SPANISH, ENGLISH AND ANOTHER LANGUAGE THAT I DONT KNOW!!! WOOOW SO MANY LANGUAGES😲🙂👍🏼

[IngramPetersJr-nrrm]

The immense relief I felt when Muhammed made it back to Senegal alive. Phew!

[patrickgachoki]

Africans need to hold their leaders accountable for their frustrations.Migrating to run away from problem is not a solution

[mawulilandgrafe]

"You know my story, if you meet one of my children's in the future be kind to them". This has really heat me hard😢😢. Man is just desperate to survive 😢😢😢😢😢

[advantagevibes]

No matter the situation. Risking your life crossing that deadly sea isn’t worth it guys 😢❤️

[JosettePond]

Sometimes it's better to stay where you are.

[linthexplorer]

This deal that Senegal made with the EU and the Chinese again fishing in their waters. It’s just heartbreaking and sad because they are literally depriving the local fisherman of any chance of making a better life for themselves. 💔💔

[hadiba]

I was in the Chateau Rouge neighborhood of Paris recently and saw many West African youths idling around or illegally selling boiled corn in the streets, running away when the police showed up.

[Manlesss]

Nothing is more painful than to witness our brothers struggle like this because of other people decisions. Even striving economy like South Africa we're still facing so much challenges. Sometimes the truth is really not the West or Europe but our brothers who are leaders make these careless decisions for the sake of their stomachs. Its a pain. Its a pain

[BernieWanjohi]

How do you illegally cross into Europe or the States with no skill no education, no nothing and expect welcoming hands and a prosperous life out there, even as an African I am wondering.