Since the beginning of the year, “more than 100 bodies” of African migrants have been discovered in Mauritania, the country’s Foreign Minister announced on Thursday during a visit to Bamako. Describing the situation as a “human tragedy”, he attributed the deaths to the actions of “criminal networks” engaged in illegal migration.

“In 2024, more than 500 bodies of young Africans were recovered from our shores, and since the beginning of 2025, over 100 more have already been found. This is a human tragedy that we must face together,” declared Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Mauritania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement relayed by the Malian Presidency on social media. Mr. Merzoug emphasized the urgency of “dismantling the criminal networks” behind irregular migration and called for the promotion of “regular, safe, and orderly” migration, within the framework of national laws and bilateral agreements.

Mauritania, a vast desert nation on West Africa’s Atlantic coast, has recently seen a surge in migrants attempting to reach Europe. In response, the government has launched a crackdown involving mass expulsion, targeting primarily Senegalese, Malian, Ivorian and Guinean nationals. This approach has drawn sharp criticism across the region and sparked diplomatic tensions with several neighbouring countries.

In late March, the Malian government expressed strong indignation over the treatment of its nationals expelled from Mauritania, denouncing what it called a “flagrant violation of human rights.” The statement followed the forced removal of hundreds of Malian migrants, prompting Bamako to call for an immediate end to the expulsions.