The Spanish Distinctive Method to Migration from Africa

Spain is charting a noticeably unique course from numerous European countries when it comes to migration policies and relations toward the African mainland.

Although countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France and Federal Republic of Germany are reducing their development aid budgets, Madrid continues dedicated to increasing its participation, though from a lower starting point.

Recent Developments

Recently, the Madrid has been accommodating an AU-supported "world conference on persons of African origin". The Madrid African conference will explore restorative justice and the formation of a new development fund.

This demonstrates the latest indication of how Madrid's leadership is attempting to strengthen and expand its cooperation with the continent that rests only a short distance to the south, across the Straits of Gibraltar.

Policy Structure

This past summer International Relations Head Madrid's top envoy launched a recent guidance panel of distinguished academic, international relations and cultural figures, over 50 percent of them from Africa, to oversee the execution of the detailed Madrid-Africa plan that his administration released at the conclusion of the previous year.

Fresh consular offices south of the Sahara, and cooperative ventures in commerce and learning are scheduled.

Movement Regulation

The distinction between the Spanish method and that of others in the West is not just in expenditure but in perspective and mindset – and especially noticeable than in addressing population movement.

Like different EU nations, Administration Head Pedro Sanchez is seeking methods to contain the arrival of undocumented migrants.

"From our perspective, the migratory phenomenon is not only a matter of ethical standards, unity and dignity, but also one of rationality," the government leader commented.

More than 45,000 people attempted the hazardous maritime passage from West African coastline to the Spanish archipelago of the Atlantic islands the previous year. Approximations of those who lost their lives while undertaking the journey vary from 1,400 to a astonishing 10,460.

Effective Measures

Madrid's government needs to shelter fresh migrants, evaluate their applications and manage their absorption into larger population, whether transient or more long-lasting.

Nevertheless, in terminology markedly different from the adversarial communication that originates from many European capitals, the Sanchez government publicly recognizes the difficult financial circumstances on the ground in West Africa that compel individuals to jeopardize their safety in the effort to reach Europe.

Furthermore, it attempts to move beyond simply refusing entry to new arrivals. Rather, it is creating innovative options, with a commitment to promote movements of people that are protected, systematic and regular and "reciprocally advantageous".

Financial Collaboration

During his visit to the West African nation the previous year, the Spanish leader highlighted the contribution that foreign workers make to the Iberian economic system.

The Spanish government finances skill development initiatives for jobless young people in states like the West African country, particularly for unauthorized persons who have been repatriated, to support them in establishing workable employment options in their homeland.

Additionally, it enlarged a "rotational movement" scheme that offers persons from the region limited-duration authorizations to enter Spanish territory for defined timeframes of seasonal work, primarily in farming, and then return.

Geopolitical Relevance

The fundamental premise guiding Madrid's outreach is that the Iberian nation, as the continental nation closest to the continent, has an vital national concern in Africa's progress toward inclusive and sustainable development, and tranquility and protection.

That basic rationale might seem evident.

However previous eras had guided the Spanish nation down a distinctly separate route.

Other than a several North African presences and a small tropical outpost – currently sovereign Equatorial Guinea – its colonial expansion in the 1500s and 1600s had primarily been focused across the Atlantic.

Future Outlook

The heritage aspect incorporates not only advancement of Castilian, with an increased footprint of the language promotion body, but also schemes to help the transfer of academic teachers and investigators.

Defense collaboration, measures regarding environmental shifts, female advancement and an enhanced consular representation are predictable aspects in the current climate.

Nevertheless, the plan also lays very public stress it places on supporting democratic ideas, the continental organization and, in specific, the regional West African group Ecowas.

This will be positive official support for the latter, which is now experiencing substantial difficulties after observing its five-decade milestone spoiled by the walk-out of the Sahel nations – the West African nation, the Malian Republic and the Nigerien Republic – whose governing armed forces have refused to comply with its standard for political freedom and effective leadership.

Meanwhile, in a statement aimed similarly at the national citizenry as its continental allies, the external affairs department stated "supporting the African diaspora and the fight against racism and anti-foreigner sentiment are also key priorities".

Impressive rhetoric of course are only a initial phase. But in the current negative global atmosphere such discourse really does distinguish itself.