Moroccans residing in France are blocked in Ceuta, unable to reach Morocco as the borders remain closed. They hope for a reopening next week to reunite with their loved ones.
While Morocco has canceled the 2020 edition of the Marhaba operation, Spain has announced its readiness to welcome Moroccan nationals in transit on its territory. The Iberian neighbor is committed to making this challenge a success "with all the security and health guarantees" provided that Morocco opens its borders.
As of Sunday, July 5 at 6:00 a.m., the free parking lot of Llano Amarillo (Algeciras), usually used by Moroccans from different European countries, will be closed.
The opening of borders is taking shape in Morocco. After having long closed its land, air and sea borders due to the coronavirus pandemic, Morocco is preparing to reopen them in July, just a day after the lifting of the state of health emergency.
The epidemiological situation in Morocco is not yet reassuring. It compromises the return of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) and deals a blow to the activities of tourism professionals.
The transit operation for Moroccans residing abroad, envisaged by the Moroccan and Spanish governments, is still uncertain. Spain claims it is ready, while Morocco has canceled it in its usual form.
In 48 hours, the Marhaba 2020 operation was the subject of two contradictory speeches from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad.
Although the Marhaba 2020 operation is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) can return to the country during the summer period. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, indicated that this return will only be possible under strict conditions.
The epidemiological situation in Morocco has not yet improved. Faced with this equation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, has canceled the Marhaba 2020 operation dedicated to welcoming Moroccans residing abroad.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, is expected at the House of Representatives this Monday, June 22, where he will address several issues, including MRE and the Marhaba operation.
Uncertainty continues to hang over the holding of the Marhaba 2020 operation this year. With the health situation in Algeciras, where one death and several positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded on Thursday, nothing is certain today.
The annual " Marhaba " operation organized by Morocco, scheduled to start in June, has been postponed due to the current pandemic context. While several European countries have already announced the date of opening of their borders, Morocco is slow to make a decision regarding its start.