Thousands of French Nationals Stranded as Morocco Extends Border Closure

By choosing a few months ago to take a pleasure trip or to pay a pleasant visit to their loved ones in Morocco, these thousands of French stranded in Morocco, were far from suspecting that they were embarking on a one-way trip and a complicated return. Apart from the stress of confinement and the anguish of having left pending affairs in France, they feel abandoned by the French state, reports RFI.

This is the case of Nancy Viannet, who came to Morocco at the beginning of March to attend a funeral. Her stay was supposed to last 10 days; but already three months that this French woman is stuck in Morocco. "I had a professional life, I had a whole life and I want to get it back. Right now, everything is chaotic; it’s a puzzle. I’m desperate," she declares, completely at the end of her rope...

Even if she is lucky to be housed, and does not fear for her job, no matter how long it takes, she is psychologically affected by the situation, especially since according to the deputy for French people abroad, Anne Genetet, "France has very little room for maneuver. It is the decision of a State, and it is sovereign," she explains.

It’s not just in Morocco that the French are stuck. They are also in China, in Singapore. The advantage with Morocco is that the diplomatic channel remains open and allows negotiations for the repatriation of French nationals. Only six planes a week provide repatriations to France with 120 seats available on board. Nancy has done her calculations: she will only be able to return in 14 weeks, the same source specifies.