The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has unveiled a significant factsheet that emphasizes Morocco's pivotal role in the realm of asylum. This report, recently published on ReliefWeb, highlights Morocco's strategic position as a "key country of asylum at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Atlantic migration routes," illustrating its growing importance in the global humanitarian landscape.
Morocco is recognized by UNHCR as a sanctuary of protection and inclusion, particularly in light of the surrounding regional instability. The organization collaborates closely with Moroccan authorities to enhance the country’s asylum and protection frameworks, which are essential in addressing the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. The factsheet reveals that, as of July, the UNHCR has registered a total of 23,615 refugees and asylum seekers from over 60 different countries residing in Morocco. Among these, the largest group comes from Sudan, totaling 6,816 individuals, followed by 5,239 Syrians, 2,066 Guineans, 1,755 Ivoirians, and 1,357 nationals from the Central African Republic.
In total, the current figures comprise 10,538 refugees and 13,077 asylum seekers. Notably, there has been a significant increase in arrivals from Sudan, which has accounted for the majority of new registrations in 2025 and 2026 thus far, with Sudanese nationals making up an astonishing 68% of all registrations in 2026. This translates to an average of 233 individuals being registered monthly, with unaccompanied children representing one in every nine new entrants. The report underscores the various initiatives and partnerships that have been cultivated with Morocco, praising the longstanding collaboration with organizations that focus on humanitarian workshops, campaigns, and initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of migrants in the North African nation.
Despite the UNHCR's acknowledgment of Morocco's proactive stance in hosting refugees and asylum seekers, the country often finds itself the target of negative campaigns that undermine its efforts. Recent events, particularly the mass crossings into Ceuta in late July, have amplified these smear campaigns. During this period, tens of thousands of irregular migrants surged toward the Spanish enclave, igniting accusations from certain far-right Spanish politicians who claimed Morocco orchestrated a "hybrid attack" by exploiting migration as a political tool. However, investigations by Spain's own government and law enforcement have consistently refuted these claims, underlining the importance of cooperative migration management with Morocco.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Morocco has reaffirmed its dedication to managing migration effectively. While the kingdom is committed to being a reliable partner for Spain and the European Union in addressing irregular migration challenges, it has clarified that it should not be seen as a mere enforcer of EU border control. In light of the Ceuta crisis, Morocco implemented an emergency strategy to manage the situation, leading to a swift agreement between Rabat and Madrid concerning the return of migrants. The overwhelming majority of individuals who crossed into Ceuta returned to Morocco within days, with Spanish officials estimating the influx to be between 70,000 and 80,000 individuals.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
