afrol News / A Semana, 31 May - The 36 illegal migrants who were not authorized by Senegalese authorities to disembark in Dakar are to be transferred to a Spanish refugee camp in Mauritania within a week. Until then, they will be housed at the Public Order Police (POP) squadrons in Achada de Santo António and Fazenda, in Praia.

The 36 illegal migrants were part of a group totaling 58 that was found adrift in Cape Verdean waters aboard the fishing vessel Awaid 2 on May 4. The migrants were repatriated to Dakar, Senegal, the boat’s last port of call before being rescued in Cape Verdean waters, aboard the Cape Verdean ship Djondade.

Forced to return to Praia after Senegalese authorities refused to allow them to disembark, the 36 immigrants in question are currently being housed at the POP squadrons in Achada de Santo António and Fazenda. As they are not technically prisoners, they are sleeping in the chambers reserved for police officers and are being fed meals provided by the POP academy in Praia.

Cape Verde’s Minister of Internal Administration, Júlio Correia, guarantees that “they will be transferred to Mauritania, where they will be housed in a refugee center built by Spain.” According to Correia, another 40 illegal migrants recently caught on the island of Sal will be transferred along with them.

Cape Verde is being aided by Portugal and Spain in this transfer operation, and is currently awaiting the results of negotiations between the Cape Verdean and Mauritanian governments.

By staff writers

© afrol News / A Semana

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