Significant Shift in Morocco's Migration Policy
In a recent address on October 9, 2026, during the inauguration of the new Moroccan Parliament, which emerged from the elections held on September 23, King Mohammed VI addressed the pressing migration crisis that unfolded in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last July. During this crisis, over 70,000 individuals from Morocco entered Ceuta, prompting the king to announce substantial changes in Morocco's future migration cooperation strategies.
King Mohammed VI stated, 'The balanced approach our country has adopted in managing migration has yielded tangible results. However, we must courageously and objectively acknowledge that the current model of cooperation in this field has reached its limits, as evidenced by recurring crises.' This admission marks a significant acknowledgment of the shortcomings faced by Morocco in its migration policies.
In his speech, the king specifically mentioned Spain, seemingly responding to the critical voices that arose in Spain following the Ceuta crisis. He condemned the 'irresponsible statements from certain political and media circles' and highlighted the 'obvious exploitation of the situation.' Furthermore, he stressed that migration cooperation is currently facing significant challenges, particularly due to 'certain outdated legal provisions and judicial decisions that are out of touch with reality.'
King Mohammed VI reiterated Morocco's role as a 'reliable partner' committed to fulfilling its obligations, while expecting the same level of commitment from its allies. He went on to announce a new initiative, stating, 'Morocco will present its partners with a document outlining a clear, practical, and strategic vision that will set a new direction for our cooperation.' This declaration suggests that Morocco is seeking to reshape its migration collaboration with European partners, although specific details regarding these changes have yet to be disclosed.
As reported by africa-live.de.
