Morocco to Allow Return of Unaccompanied Minors from Spain’s Ceuta Enclave

"Moroccan minors in Spain will return to the kingdom and hot returns will be reactivated," Moroccan sources close to the situation told El Español, indicating that a two-day meeting will open on May 5, "with associations and NGOs to discuss and address these points, within the framework of human rights." Of the 1,200 minors who arrived in Ceuta in May last year, about 450 are being cared for by the authorities of the autonomous city and about a hundred are living on the street, the Spanish media recalls.

Morocco has revised its migration policy towards Spain after the latter’s change of position on the Sahara, which put an end to the long and serious diplomatic crisis between the two countries, and the announcement of Sanchez’s upcoming visit to Rabat which will mark the beginning of a "new stage" based on "mutual respect, mutual trust, permanent consultation and frank and loyal cooperation".

To read: Morocco Stalls on Repatriation of Migrant Minors to Spain’s Ceuta

Thus, Mohammed VI will receive Pedro Sanchez, after the cancellation of the High-Level Meeting in December 2020 and February 2021. "The various ministers and officials of the two countries are called upon to launch concrete actions within the framework of an ambitious roadmap covering all areas of cooperation, including all issues of common interest," the Moroccan Royal Cabinet said in a statement.

Pedro Sanchez will travel to Rabat accompanied by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, who has canceled his planned trip to Rabat on Friday. The Spanish government is now only waiting for the return of Mohammed VI from Gabon where he has been staying for several weeks. "In less than 48 hours, he will be in Morocco for Ramadan which begins in our country on Saturday or Sunday," Moroccan sources announced on Thursday. The Moroccan monarch is in the habit of distributing aid to the needy and visiting mosques during this sacred month.