Stranded Belgians Face Financial Ruin as Morocco Lockdown Continues

Originating from China, the coronavirus has very early affected Europe and the world, forcing the authorities to take drastic measures, including lockdown and border closures. This is how in Morocco, the suspension of flights to Europe prevented the return of many Belgians who have been waiting since March 20 to return home, even if many others are still blocked, hoping that the negotiations between the Belgian and Moroccan authorities will evolve in the right direction.

According to rtl.be, many Belgians stuck or without news of their loved ones are trying to give signs of life via the internet. This is the case of Zineb who is worried about the situation of her parents who remained in Morocco. "My parents have been stuck in Morocco for more than 2 months. My mother is the manager of a men’s ready-to-wear store. If she remains blocked, she risks losing everything." Naziha and Fouad had come to spend some good time in Tangier. But a few days after their arrival, the Moroccan authorities suspended flights to and from Europe in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Of all the flights organized, Zineb’s parents were unable to be on any registration list. "Very restrictive measures," according to the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Philippe Goffin, have been put in place on Moroccan territory. "This means that a large number of Belgians who also have Moroccan nationality have found themselves stuck." Under international law, Morocco considers that persons with dual Belgian-Moroccan nationality, present on the territory, are subject to the laws of the country like any other Moroccan. They must therefore remain on site, reports rtl.be.

On March 22, the situation became more complicated with the closure of Moroccan airspace, reducing the chances of Naziha and Fouad returning to Belgium. In order to obtain their return ticket, the Belgians had to contact the Belgian embassy in Morocco. Nearly 6,100 requests were received, including that of Naziha and Fouad. Their daughter Zineb recounts that "they had to send an email to report their situation. Name, first name, date of birth, national registration number, reason for repatriation..."

After a long wait, an email was sent to them, as well as to hundreds of people. A note that ends as follows: "We regret to inform you that you have not been selected. Either you do not meet the criteria set out above, or you have not provided convincing supporting documentation." According to the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "the Belgians who can claim humanitarian repatriation are carefully selected." 3,400 requests, of which 1,400, were able to highlight a justification for humanitarian repatriation.

Big disappointment for Naziha, Fouad and their daughter Zineb. In Belgium, their daughter Zineb is doing her best to help her parents. But the situation is not moving and the debts threaten to accumulate. "The landlord is demanding his rent, which is normal. It’s a snowball effect. We will have to pay everything that needs to be paid when you have a business; and for now, there is zero income. We are terrified. She is stuck there, but until when?" wonders the young woman.

The situation is very complicated for the stranded Belgians who would be hundreds, when it comes to calls for help and other comments on social networks. Mohsin Mouedden, a human rights activist, has created Facebook groups that now have around 5,000 members. "There is a lot of suffering, people are completely at a loss. They didn’t know who to turn to; the doors of the Belgian embassy as well as those of Morocco were closed," justifies Mohsin.

Overwhelmed by the large number of repatriation requests, the ministry would not have properly analyzed the files. "We have healthy people who have returned, but also people with pathologies, babies who have been refused, despite all the explanations." Faced with the complaints and criticisms pouring in on social networks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for patience. "We are in the deconfinement phase. It is certain that Morocco will also start it. This will result in a gradual resumption of commercial flights," the minister’s office tries to reassure with difficulty.