As the European Union tightens its migration policies, an increasing number of migrants are seeking alternative routes, with Mauritania emerging as a significant transit hub for those attempting to reach Europe.

The EU has entered into financial agreements with several African nations, including Tunisia, Mauritania, and Egypt, ostensibly for economic development, but these deals primarily aim to stem the flow of migrants to Europe.

The ongoing migration crisis in the EU has escalated over the years, leading to a troubling shift of responsibility to African countries that are already grappling with instability.

Libya exemplifies this crisis, hosting around 4 million undocumented migrants, which constitutes more than half of its population of 7.5 million, a situation exacerbated by chaos following Western military intervention.

The lawlessness in Libya has resulted in rampant human trafficking, with detention centers resembling prisons and documented instances of slave markets, highlighting severe human rights abuses.

Despite a reported 25% decline in illegal border crossings to Europe in 2023, the migration issue remains critical, particularly with migrants coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Mali.

In 2024, over 2,200 migrants died or went missing in the Mediterranean Sea, underscoring the perilous journey many undertake to reach Europe.

The dire predictions made by former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi regarding the consequences of his removal are now evident, as Libya has transformed into a central transit hub for migrants.

In response to these challenges, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has introduced the Mattei Plan, a multibillion-euro initiative aimed at investing in African development to reduce migration incentives, while also proposing to relocate migrants to processing centers in Albania.

The UK has attempted a similar offshoring strategy under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deport migrants to Rwanda, which has been largely ineffective and was recently deemed 'dead and buried' by the current Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Recent EU statistics reveal a population of 448.8 million, with a significant number of non-EU citizens, highlighting the persistent migration challenges despite a reported decline in illegal crossings.

The UK's offshoring strategy with Rwanda has largely failed, impacting less than 1% of illegal migrants, further illustrating the complexities of managing migration.