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Morocco's Foreign Minister Challenges EU Migration Narrative, Highlights African Realities
In a recent press conference in Rabat, Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita addressed the complex issue of migration between Africa and Europe, offering a perspective that challenges prevailing narratives. Speaking alongside Fernando Clavijo, President of Spain's Canary Islands, Bourita emphasized the need for a more balanced and factual approach to migration discussions.
Bourita's remarks centered on several key points. First, he asserted Morocco's readiness to repatriate unaccompanied Moroccan minors currently in European Union countries. However, he highlighted obstacles in the process, pointing to "gaps in laws and procedures" within EU nations that complicate these efforts.
The Foreign Minister called for collaborative solutions, stressing that migration is a "shared responsibility" among countries of origin, transit, and reception. He cautioned against placing undue pressure on transit countries, describing such an approach as "dangerous."
In a striking revelation, Bourita presented statistics that paint a different picture of African migration than what is often portrayed in European discourse. He noted that migration from African countries accounts for a mere 0.23% of global migration. "Eight out of 10 African migrants stay in African countries, only 2% go abroad," Bourita stated, urging a reconsideration of the notion that "Africa is going to invade Europe."
The discussion also touched on the specific issue of unaccompanied minors arriving in the Canary Islands. President Clavijo expressed interest in collaborating with Morocco to improve the management of this situation. He praised Morocco's "enormous effort" in curbing irregular immigration, acknowledging that the situation would be "unmanageable" without Morocco's cooperation.
Clavijo revealed plans for joint efforts between Morocco, Spain, and the Canary Islands to facilitate the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors. Currently, these minors make up a significant portion of those under regional social services care in the Canary Islands.
The meeting between Bourita and Clavijo represents a step towards more nuanced and cooperative approaches to migration challenges. By highlighting the realities of African migration and calling for evidence-based policies, Morocco is positioning itself as a key player in shaping balanced migration strategies in the Mediterranean region.
As discussions on migration continue to evolve, this dialogue between Morocco and Spanish regional authorities underscores the importance of multilateral cooperation and fact-based policymaking in addressing one of the most pressing issues facing Africa and Europe today.