Home Affairs delivers two patrol boats to Senegal to contribute to the 'key work' of its security forces in migration prevention

The Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, during the handover ceremony

The Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, delivered two Civil Guard coastal patrol boats to Senegal to contribute to the migration prevention efforts of its security forces. "Their work is key to protecting vulnerable migrants, preventing the loss of human lives, and firmly combating human trafficking networks," he said from Dakar.

"Irregular immigration is a highly complex and constantly evolving national, regional, and global challenge," stated Grande-Marlaska during the handover ceremony held at the National Navy's Military Arsenal, where he thanked his counterpart, Mouhamadou Bamba Cissé, for Senegal's "daily efforts" to combat irregular immigration, "a shared challenge that demands shared responsibility and effective cooperation between our countries."

Today's meeting is the second between the two ministers. The two home affairs ministers also met on November 4 in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), on the sidelines of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the International Security Alliance, where they agreed on the importance of bilateral cooperation.

More than 5,100 interceptions in 2025

Joint surveillance by Spanish and Senegalese security forces has led to more than 5,100 interceptions of individuals and 126 vessels in 2025. The number of irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands from the Senegalese coast has decreased by 91 percent, from 9,000 in 2024 to fewer than 850 this year. During the same period, the number of Senegalese arriving irregularly in Spain has fallen by approximately 60 percent.

"These figures are a result of the effective cooperation our countries are developing," explained the minister, who referred to the delivery of the vessels as evidence of the commitment to further strengthening bilateral collaboration. "The two offshore vessels we are delivering today to the Senegalese National Gendarmerie and National Police will contribute to improving operational capabilities for border control and combating crime, including human trafficking," he explained.

Currently, Spain maintains a contingent of forty National Police and Civil Guard officers in Senegal, working alongside the Senegalese Gendarmerie and National Police on land, sea, and river patrols. The deployment also includes three vessels (two deep-sea and one medium-sea), a helicopter, and 13 all-terrain vehicles, and periodically, a surveillance aircraft and an ocean-going vessel. Spain also collaborates within the framework of European projects such as the Joint Operational Partnership (JOP) and the Network of Joint Operational Partnerships (NETCOP II).

Two coastal patrol vessels

The two vessels delivered to Senegal are Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPVs), designed to operate from a home port and capable of carrying out surveillance, deterrence, pursuit, and neutralisation missions against illegal activities. The vessels, named Joal and Mouhamed Ndao, can operate in inland and coastal waters with no limitation other than their range.

Their size-between 25 and 30 metres in length and 6 metres in beam-their V-shaped hull design and construction for planing, and their propulsion system allow them to reach a maximum speed of between 30 and 35 knots, with excellent manoeuvrability at any speed, both when docking and departing. Each vessel also has a 6-metre-long inflatable boat with a capacity for 6 people, which can be used as an intervention craft or a lifeboat.

Presentation of honours

Grande-Marlaska used his visit to Dakar as an opportunity to award the Civil Guard's Medal of Merit, Silver Cross category, to the Director General of the Senegalese National Gendarmerie and Director of Military Justice, Martin Faye, and the Director General of the Senegalese National Police, Mame Seydou Ndour, "for their extraordinary work in the areas of migration and security," as the minister highlighted at the ceremony.

"Your work and that of the people who make up the teams you lead is an example for everyone," the minister praised, expressing "Spain's deep gratitude" to the Senegalese Gendarmerie and National Police for their fight against irregular immigration, human trafficking networks, terrorism, and organized crime.

Non official translation