Uncertainty Looms Over Morocco’s Annual Diaspora Return as Operation Marhaba Remains in Limbo

"No element allows us to advance a possible organization of Operation Marhaba," said sources from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior to Europa Press, who assure that, as last year, all arrangements have been made by the port of Algeciras to welcome Moroccans living abroad (MREs) under good conditions.

Last year, Operation Marhaba had been canceled due to the health crisis. This year again, the holding of this operation will depend on the epidemiological situation in Morocco, Spain and the countries of origin of Moroccans living abroad, the Spanish authorities had said since May. But beyond the health crisis, the diplomatic and migration crises with Morocco are complicating a situation that was already complicated.

To read:

Every year for the past 36 years, the Transit Operation has taken place between June 15 and September 15, and allows Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) and especially from Europe, to cross Spain to reach Morocco in order to spend their summer vacation there. In 2019, it allowed the passage of 3,340,045 people and 760,215 vehicles.