Morocco Halts Repatriation of 30,000 Citizens Stranded Abroad, Minister Cites ’Delicate Circumstances’

In a statement, the minister said that "particular circumstances are opposed to the repatriation of Moroccan nationals," adding that "it is not the related costs that discourage the country."

Rebbah apologized to the citizens stranded abroad, stressing that these are delicate circumstances and that some of his relatives and collaborators are experiencing the same situation.

In the same context, the minister justified the government’s difficult decision by the drastic measures put in place, which have allowed the kingdom to avoid the worst-case scenario during the covid-19 crisis.

For the minister, the economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic have caused considerable losses to Moroccan companies, businesses and cafes, he added, specifying that it will take for example billions of dirhams to straighten out Royal Air Maroc.