Morocco Suspends Repatriation of Nationals from Spanish Enclaves Amid Dispute

This humanitarian repatriation operation that started on Friday, May 15, was suspended on Monday, May 18. And for good reason, a disagreement around the exact number of eligible people. According to Moroccan diplomatic sources, Morocco is organizing the repatriation of 420 individuals while the authorities of the two cities intend to repatriate 1,300 people.

In detail, Rabat plans to repatriate 140 people still stranded in Melilla while the local authorities of the city are talking about 600 people, including 200 Moroccans who have already joined the kingdom last weekend via the Beni Ansar border post. The same sources indicate that Ceuta will repatriate 280 people. However, the Spanish side puts forward a number of 700 people.

This difference in figures is justified by the desire of the Iberian local authorities to include people in illegal stay in Ceuta and Melilla in the operations. Among them, illegal migrants, and unaccompanied minors. However, the initial agreement only provides for the repatriation of people permanently residing in Morocco and who were in the two presidios for health, tourism or business reasons, among others, after the closure of the borders.