Morocco Refuses to Repatriate 27,000 Citizens While Allowing Foreign Tourists to Leave

27,850 Moroccan nationals are still stranded abroad since mid-March due to the closure of airspace and the Moroccan government’s refusal to adopt a repatriation policy, as many countries do, according to the Spanish news agency EFE, cited by le Desk.

The Moroccan authorities have justified their refusal to repatriate the country’s nationals for reasons related to "strict health protection measures" that help slow the spread of covid-19 in the kingdom. To date, Morocco has had a relatively low number of infections compared to other Maghreb countries. As of May 12, the balance sheet shows 6,418 confirmed cases, 188 deaths and 2,991 recoveries.

As paradoxical as it may seem, Morocco, which shows no willingness to organize the return of its nationals, allows other countries to organize repatriation operations for their nationals through special flights.

Despite their cries for help, the Moroccan authorities, it seems, are turning a deaf ear. They are content to provide assistance to these Moroccans stranded abroad. But not all of them receive it or the aid is insufficient. These Moroccans only wish one thing: to return to the kingdom. They are also willing to be quarantined if necessary.