Belgian Father Stranded in Morocco for Months Denied Repatriation Flight

"We confirm that you have been selected for the last humanitarian return flight that will take place this week." This email from the Belgian embassy in Morocco gladdened Nourdine’s heart as he hoped to finally join his five children. "I am Belgian! My five minor children are waiting for me in Belgium. So when I finally received confirmation that I was among the passengers on the last humanitarian flight, I thought my nightmare was finally over."

He gets on the bus that should take him from Tangier to Casablanca airport. Unexpectedly, things get complicated. "There was an incredible line at the airport and no security measures were in place. We were all stuck together," describes the Brussels resident. What follows? A woman told him that he would not be able to board the plane. Reason given: a problem with his residence in Belgium, discovered through his national number.

Nourdine is stunned. "She claimed a problem with my residence in Belgium, discovered through my national number. But it’s a minor municipal issue, and I need to go back to sort it out," he explains, adding that his national number appears on all the documents he provided them. "Why wait until I’m in Casablanca to raise this issue when I was checked in Tangier?" he fumes with anger.

Despite waiting for three or four hours to get answers to his questions, nothing will come of it. "I had to wait three or four hours and when I went back to see her, her only answer was that she had no time to give me. She preferred to call the police and the ambassador."

The latter was unpleasant with him. "[...] It’s a huge humiliation; they take me for rotten fish. It was even worse with the ambassador who was unimaginably arrogant. He even dared to ask me if I wanted money..."

After this episode, nothing more. "I’m disappointed; it’s a disaster. I’ve sent lots of emails, without any response," complains Nourdine. "It’s desperate. It’s been three months that I’ve been stuck away from my family and there’s no one to help us."