RABAT, Morocco
Moroccan authorities have intercepted thousands of illegal migrants in the first eight months of 2022, according to a parliamentary report.
The report said that over 56,000 migrants were prevented from illegally crossing the Mediterranean into Europe in the period from January to August.
“Around 12,000 migrants were rescued from drowning,” the report said.
In 2020, the Moroccan authorities said they had stopped around 12,231 illegal migrants and dismantled 150 trafficking networks.
The Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta on the northern Moroccan coast are considered main routes for illegal migration trips towards Europe.
The two enclaves are under the Spanish rule but Morocco considers them as occupied territories.
For years, North African countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania have witnessed attempts by migrants – mainly from sub-Saharan Africa – to reach Europe, hoping for a better life. While some of the migrants manage to reach their destination, others often die during the journey.
