Morocco Plans to Reopen Borders for Diaspora’s Summer Return

The Moroccan government has informed its Spanish counterpart of its intention to organize the annual maritime transit operation (Marhaba 2021) next summer, confirmed a source to Assahifa Arabic. The kingdom had closed its borders with Spain in mid-March. The Moroccan government has not, for the time being, discussed with Spain the situation of the border crossing points of Ceuta and Melilla whether or not they will be included in the transit operation, the source stressed.

The organization of the Marhaba 2021 operation depends, however, on the epidemiological situation in Morocco and the European countries where the spread of the new coronavirus variants is worrying. Jointly organized by the Spanish and Moroccan authorities, the Marhaba operation allows Moroccans residing in European countries for work reasons to return to Morocco to spend their summer holidays.

Last year, the operation was canceled on the decision of Morocco. In total, nearly 3 million Moroccans living abroad had joined the kingdom after transit in Spain, in the summer of 2019.