Understanding the Migrant Experience in Morocco
In the first part of this report, migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa shared harrowing details of their perilous journeys across the Sahara Desert, revealing the extortion, human trafficking, and torture they endured on their way to North Africa. However, the tragedy does not conclude upon reaching Morocco; instead, it marks the beginning of a new phase characterized by repeated attempts to reach Europe, as many are compelled by the harsh realities of their circumstances to reassess their priorities and future.
The experiences of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in Morocco unveil a complex humanitarian reality that transcends mere statistics and policies. Their stories illustrate a continuous struggle between hope and hardship, aspiration and the possibility of stability, as well as the dream of Europe juxtaposed against the realities of life in North Africa. Within these intersecting narratives lie numerous individual tales, vividly illuminated through firsthand accounts that reveal the profound human aspect of a migration phenomenon that has become one of the most pressing issues of our time.
The Journey from "European Paradise" to Stability in Morocco
Traditionally, Morocco has been viewed as a temporary stop for migrants en route to Europe, particularly Spain, across the Mediterranean Sea or through the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. However, this perception has become less accurate in recent years. Recent studies indicate that an increasing number of migrants are choosing to remain in Morocco for extended periods, sometimes for several years, due to difficulties in reaching Europe or changing plans over time. This shift reflects a new reality characterized by what some are calling "unplanned stability" within Morocco.
For many, the dream of Europe once represented a promised paradise. A young Cameroonian migrant, Kaghma Gauthier, recalls seeing how some of his friends who left Cameroon in 2012 managed to improve their conditions and those of their families after arriving in Europe, fueling his own desire to undertake the journey. However, as the years passed, his perspective changed; Europe transformed from a relentless pursuit into a mere destination for visits or vacations, as his priorities and visions for life evolved.
Rights activist Abdelali Elkhafi observes that initially, Morocco symbolized a transit point for African migrants from Sub-Saharan countries heading toward the other side of the Mediterranean, but over time, it has transitioned into a country of settlement for many. Today, some migrants have even regularized their legal status, which is a positive development. Nonetheless, he emphasizes the necessity for all individuals residing within the national territory to be known to the relevant authorities, as the presence of undocumented individuals poses genuine security challenges. The majority of these migrants are seeking dignified lives and wish to integrate and work.
Amidst this backdrop, Kaghma has become convinced of the potential for achieving much within Morocco, particularly as a holder of a self-entrepreneurship card. "What I lack today is the necessary capital to launch my own projects and realize my ambitions in the field of entrepreneurship," he shares. However, many migrants continue to face significant social and economic vulnerabilities. Most work in the informal sector, where formal job opportunities remain scarce, leaving them reliant on shared housing or unstable living conditions, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Socially, experiences of integration vary drastically, ranging from solidarity and coexistence with the local community to instances of tension or discrimination amid clear cultural and economic differences, compounded by the prevailing discourse surrounding migration. Despite these challenges, various civil society initiatives are emerging to support migrants and enhance their integration, particularly in health, education, and legal assistance.
In his narrative, Kaghma recounts how, prior to regularizing his status, he lived without residency documents, sharing crowded apartments with numerous migrants, particularly in Tangier, where he sometimes resided with fifteen to twenty others. "I was relatively lucky to secure unofficial work as a manager of an internet café and an IT trainer, benefiting from my educational background. However, the low wages often forced me to resort to begging to cover expenses, pay rent, and send money to my family, in addition to funding my attempts to cross over," Kaghma explains. He continues to share how, after facing internal deportations, he found himself sleeping on the streets in multiple cities, including Agadir, where he spent several months homeless before gradually, thanks to some savings and increased knowledge of the country, managing to find accommodation, albeit in poor condition.
Abdelali Elkhafi also raises the issue of resettling migrants within Morocco, a topic that continues to spark considerable debate. "From my professional observations, I see that these operations incur significant costs for the state, while many of the relocated individuals return to the cities they left, particularly Casablanca or the northern regions, in search of new opportunities," he concludes.
As reported by france24.com.
