Rabat, Aug. 15, GNA – Some 531 candidates for irregular migration from Sebta voluntarily returned to Morocco on Thursday, August 13.
Moroccan sources told the Ghana News Agency over the weekend that the development formed part of Morocco’s continuing efforts to prevent irregular border crossings.
It was also to combat human trafficking networks, particularly, around the country’s northern borders with the Spanish-administered cities of Sebta and Melilla.
Moroccan authorities have intensified security measures in areas near the two crossings to prevent attempts to enter the cities illegally and to intercept persons seeking to participate in such activities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior said the public authorities had taken all necessary measures to counter attempts to illegally cross into Sebta and Melilla.
The spokesperson said legal proceedings had been initiated against persons found to have participated in unlawful activities, particularly those suspected of inciting or organising such attempts.
A number of people suspected of involvement in acts of incitement have also been arrested and placed under judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office, the Ministry said.
The Ministry explained that the security services’ operational readiness was part of a continuous monitoring system and was not in response to a specific incident.
It said the system, particularly, in areas surrounding the Sebta and Melilla crossings, was regularly reinforced and adjusted according to developments and identified security risks.
The Ministry also said combating irregular migration and human trafficking could not be the responsibility of one party alone, but required all stakeholders to fulfil their obligations within the framework of shared responsibility.
The voluntary return of the migrants comes amid intensified cooperation between Morocco and its European partners to manage migration and curb irregular migratory flows.
Morocco has in recent years positioned cooperation with European partners, prevention of irregular migration and the protection of migrants among the key elements of its migration management approach.
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