In the first part of this report, migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa shared harrowing details of their perilous journeys across the Sahara Desert, recounting experiences of extortion, human trafficking, detention, and torture on their way to North Africa. However, the tragedy does not end with their arrival in Morocco; rather, a new chapter begins, marked by repeated attempts to reach Europe and the harsh realities that force many to reassess their priorities and futures.
The Struggle Between Desire and Stability
The experiences of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in Morocco unveil a complex human reality that transcends mere statistics and policies. Their stories reflect a continuous movement between hope and hardship, between the desire to cross into Europe and the possibility of finding stability, and between the European dream and the reality of life in North Africa. Amid these intersecting paths, numerous individual stories emerge, illuminated by firsthand testimonies that reveal the profound human aspect of a migration phenomenon that has become one of the most pressing issues of our time.
One poignant account comes from a Cameroonian youth, Kagama Goutier, who shares that his suffering did not cease upon reaching Morocco; instead, his aspiration to reach Europe at any cost became his new reality. "We attempted repeatedly to cross the fenced land borders, and we made several attempts to migrate by sea from Tangier, but all were in vain," he laments. The economic conditions were equally harsh, as there was no support available, leaving him to rely entirely on himself, spending everything he had on crossing attempts, only to return to square one in an endless cycle of failures and suffering.
From the European Dream to Stability in Morocco
Traditionally, Morocco was viewed as a temporary stop for migrants en route to Europe, particularly Spain via the Mediterranean Sea or the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. However, this perception has become less accurate in recent years. Recent studies indicate a growing number of migrants are remaining in Morocco for extended periods, sometimes for several years, due to the difficulties of reaching Europe or changes in their plans over time. This shift reflects a new reality characterized by an "unplanned stability" within Morocco.
Kagama reflects on his previous perception of Europe as the "promised paradise," recalling how he witnessed friends who left Cameroon in 2012 improve their lives and those of their families upon arriving in Europe, which fueled his own desire. However, time has altered his perspective; Europe is no longer a goal worth pursuing at any cost but merely a destination for visits, tourism, and holidays, as his life priorities and visions have evolved over time.
According to human rights activist Abdelhaqi Khafi, "Morocco initially represented a transit point for African migrants from Sub-Saharan countries toward the other shore; over time, it has transformed into a country of stability for many of them. Today, there is a segment of these migrants whose legal status has been regularized, which is a positive step. However, it is crucial for all individuals present in the country to be known by the relevant authorities, as the presence of undocumented individuals poses significant security challenges. It is clear that the majority of these migrants seek a dignified life and wish to integrate and work."
Kagama asserts that he is convinced of his ability to achieve much within Morocco, especially as he holds a self-employed card. "What I lack today is the necessary capital to launch my own projects and realize my ambitions in entrepreneurship." Unfortunately, many migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in Morocco face dire social and economic conditions, with most working in the informal sector where formal job opportunities remain limited. As for housing, many rely on shared accommodation or unstable living conditions, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
While social integration experiences vary, some migrants enjoy solidarity and coexistence with the local community, while others face tension or discrimination amid clear cultural and economic differences, compounded by a varied public discourse on migration. Nonetheless, civil society initiatives also exist to support migrants and enhance their integration, especially in health, education, and legal assistance.
During his time in Morocco before regularizing his status, Kagama recalls living without residence documents, often sharing cramped apartments with many other migrants, particularly in Tangier, where he sometimes resided with fifteen or twenty people in the same living space. "I was relatively lucky to find informal work as a manager of an internet café and as a computer instructor, benefiting from my educational background. However, low wages often forced me to beg to cover expenses, pay rent, and send money to my family, as well as fund crossing attempts," he recounted, adding that after experiencing internal deportations, he found himself sleeping on the streets in multiple cities, including Agadir, where he spent long months without shelter before gradually finding housing, albeit in poor condition, thanks to some savings and his growing knowledge of the country.
Abdelhaqi Khafi raised the issue of resettling migrants in Morocco, a topic that continues to spark considerable debate. He noted, "I observe that these operations cost the state significant budgets, while many of those relocated return to the cities they left, particularly Casablanca or northern areas, in search of new opportunities. This complex reality underscores the challenges and aspirations of migrants navigating their paths in a foreign land."
As reported by france24.com.
