Faith Nyasuguta
Moroccan authorities blocked 78,685 migrants from attempting to enter Europe illegally in 2024, a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Interior Ministry. Officials attributed the rise to growing migration pressure amid regional instability.
Most intercepted migrants came from West Africa (58%), followed by North Africa (12%), including Moroccan nationals, and East and Central Africa (9%), as reported by Reuters. Factors such as armed conflicts in the Sahel, high unemployment, and climate change continue to push migrants toward Europe.
Since resolving a diplomatic dispute in 2022, Morocco and Spain have enhanced cooperation to combat irregular migration. The country remains a key departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, or Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The Interior Ministry recorded 14 group attempts to storm Ceuta and Melilla’s border fences in 2024, more than double the six attempts reported in 2023.
According to the Africa Migration Report (AMRII), Morocco and France maintain one of Africa’s largest migration corridors, with over 1 million recorded movements between the two countries. Moroccan authorities also rescued 18,645 migrants from unseaworthy boats attempting dangerous crossings, a 10.8% rise from the previous year.
Despite increased border control efforts, tragedies persist. In January, around 50 migrants were feared drowned after their boat capsized while trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, according to a migrant rights group. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that around 200,000 attempted crossings from Africa to Europe occurred in 2024, with a significant number originating from Morocco. Tragically, nearly 3,000 migrants died at sea.
Moroccan authorities also intensified their crackdown on human trafficking, arresting over 1,200 individuals involved in smuggling operations. Officials continue working to dismantle trafficking networks that exploit migrants seeking a better life in Europe.
The IOM stressed the need for continued cooperation between Morocco and European nations to address both the root causes and immediate challenges of migration. Strengthened border security, alongside economic and development programs in migrants’ home countries, is seen as essential in easing migratory pressures.
As a strategic gateway to Europe, Morocco remains at the heart of the continent’s migration crisis. Ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral and regional partnerships are crucial to managing migration flows while ensuring the safety and dignity of migrants attempting these perilous journeys.
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