Migrants' African routes
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Migrants' routes encompass the primary geographical routes from tropical Africa to Europe, which individuals undertake in search of residence and employment opportunities not available in their home countries. [citation needed] While Europe remains the predominant destination for most migrants, alternate routes also direct migrants towards South Africa and Asia.
A significant number of African migrants lack European travel visas, leading them to journey northward along trans-Saharan routes and undertake perilous boat voyages across sea barriers. Approximately 10% of the total migratory flow occurs via sea routes.
Many African migrants do not successfully progress beyond the coastal regions of North Africa, often concluding their journeys within Mediterranean coastal countries (particularly Libya and the Maghreb, which collectively house nearly 2 million irregular migrants).[citation needed]
A minority of migrants (estimated between 10 and 15%)[citation needed] continue their journey across the Mediterranean towards Europe, braving the hazards of open-sea crossings in small boats. The steady influx of migrants has led to opposition and animosity from North African governments, resulting in repressive measures and forced repatriations. Due to the absence of repatriation agreements, most deportations transpire via southern borders with neighboring countries (e.g., Rosso near the Mauritania-Senegal border, Oujda near the Morocco-Algeria border, Tinzouatine and In Guezzam near the Algeria-Mali and Algeria-Niger borders).
New migration routes have emerged directly from Sub-Saharan countries (such as Senegal, Gambia, and the Guinea coast), creating alternative entry paths and migration strategies. This phenomenon has contributed to a partial shift in migrants' origins, with fewer migrants hailing from Sub-Saharan Africa and an increase from Egypt and Morocco. Nonetheless, this shift has not alleviated the migratory pressure from Libya, which remains a significant source of migration towards Italy and a primary departure point for those seeking the European dream.
For many migrants attempting to navigate complex security, criminal, or corrupt systems along African borders, this journey is a human odyssey that often leaves little evidence or witnesses.[1] The expedition involves substantial financial costs (individuals earning less than 1 Euro per day may spend thousands of Euros on the journey) and poses significant dangers. Mortality rates during desert crossings, sea voyages, and other stops represent a considerable threat. In 2018, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that at least one in 5 migrants died or disappeared while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.[2] While the primary motivations for embarking on this journey are often economic, driven by the search for improved living conditions, cultural and symbolic factors also play a role (e.g., in Sub-Saharan Africa, the journey can serve as an alternative rite of passage).
The Sub-Saharan African migratory process is evolving due to shifts in control and repression measures, leading to the gradual emergence of new maritime and overland routes. These routes are typically facilitated by criminal organizations and local intermediaries colluding with law enforcement authorities.