Stranded Moroccan Residents of France Protest Repatriation Delays in Casablanca

Sadness and despair are the daily lot of Moroccans residing in France who are stranded in Morocco. In front of the consulate, they demonstrate and hope that the French consular services will take their repatriation requests into consideration.

Faced with this situation, one of the demonstrators recalls that she has been paying her taxes in France for 48 years, but unfortunately is not eligible for repatriation. "I have rights, but the Consul of France in Casablanca doesn’t care," she indignantly protests.

Continuing her statement, she specifies that this is the 5th time she has come to the consulate. According to the Moroccan residing in France, the consul promises to study their files; and then, nothing. "On the other hand, we see the French leaving. The consul tells us each time: ’We will study cases individually’. This formula makes us laugh, even if our hearts are not in it, because we know that there will be nothing. And yet, among us there are people with chronic illnesses who have not seen their doctors, minors who have not been able to follow their courses online," she adds with dismay.

For Salwa, the "spokesperson" of these Moroccans residing in France, stranded near the consulate, the situation is dramatic with people whose residence permit has expired or who have lost their jobs. According to her, her numerous requests to the consul have remained in vain. "Regarding residence permits, the consul promised to examine and contact the prefectures. We also submitted a request for two people in extreme medical emergency. So far, no positive response on the pretext that their files are incomplete. I expressed our distress."

As for the Moroccan residing in France, she persists and signs: "As long as we have not received a response for our repatriation, we will continue to come and demonstrate in front of the consulate. The French government really needs to put more planes to repatriate us," she adds. Yesterday, Tuesday, on France Inter, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, promised about ten maritime links in the next fifteen days. He spoke of a "real maritime bridge". It remains to be seen whether the Moroccans residing in France will be part of it.