Morocco Tightens Border Controls as Migrants Face Increased Scrutiny

The hunt for migrants is further strengthened by the will of Europe and the Moroccan authorities to curb the phenomenon of illegal migration. Indeed, a few months ago, these insurgents were visible on the roads and in the camps set up near urban centers. Today, like Mustapha, many migrants prefer to remain confined in precarious camps in the forests, far from prying eyes, notes La Croix.

As of today, those hoping to cross the European barrier from the Moroccan territorial limits are cautious in the face of regular waves of arrests, fueled by European pressures coupled with funding to strengthen border surveillance; which is not always to the liking of NGOs.

"We will cross this barrier!" declares Mustapha, who admits not having the means to cross the Mediterranean in makeshift boats like some candidates for illegal immigration. Two years ago, the 18-year-old young man, who had to drop out of high school to undertake with two of his neighborhood friends a long risky adventure from his native Guinea to Morocco, with the aim of reaching Europe through the autonomous city of Ceuta (Sebta).

Mustapha’s dream is "to go live in Norway and become a DJ". Unfortunately for the young Guinean and his friends, like many sub-Saharan migrants, the efforts of the Moroccan authorities are paying off little by little and reducing crossings. In 2019, nearly 32,500 migrants entered Spain illegally by land or sea, half as many as in 2018, according to figures published by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

In 2019, an envelope of 140 million was granted to the European Union to support the actions of the Kingdom of Morocco against unauthorized migratory flows.