Morocco Delays Annual "Marhaba" Operation, Border Opening Date Uncertain Amid Pandemic

The start date of the "Marhaba 2020" campaign remains unknown despite those announced by several sources close to the stakeholders. Pending this date, Morocco and Spain are taking drastic measures. Thus, Morocco will prioritize the ports of Nador, Tangier city and Tangier Med to the detriment of Ceuta and Melilla.

Other measures are also being taken. This is the prior and mandatory reservation of a place before any boarding, a measure which will allow on the one hand to manage the transport capacity of the boats, and on the other hand to respect the required distancing. Likewise, Morocco plans Covid-19 screening tests before any boarding. This last measure can generate significant logistical contributions, given the number of Moroccans wishing to return to the country, notes l’Economiste.

With Europe being impacted by the economic crisis, Morocco is questioning the success of this operation, and wonders if it will be able to reach the volume of past years with more than two million Moroccans residing abroad.

On this question, the city of Ceuta declines in advance the reception of Moroccans residing abroad. The autonomous government of the city, born of a coalition between the conservatives of the PP and the far right of Vox, has repeatedly announced that it does not want to see Moroccans residing abroad cross the city to go to the port. To which Madrid recalls that such prerogatives fall under the responsibility of the central government.