In Marrakech, Morocco has reported a significant reduction in irregular migration attempts in 2025, with 73,640 attempts thwarted, a 6.4% decrease from the previous year. This decline is attributed to Morocco’s tightened border controls, which have steered migrant flows toward alternative routes in West Africa and the southern Mediterranean.
The Interior Ministry announced the dismantling of over 300 smuggling networks during the year, noting the adaptability and cross-border collaboration of these criminal organizations. Despite the reduction in interceptions, a senior official emphasized that the pressure on migration routes remains high, with migrants merely changing their departure points.
Spain has felt the impact most acutely, with irregular arrivals dropping by 42.6% to 36,775 individuals, a notable decrease from the 64,019 in the previous year. The Canary Islands experienced the most substantial drop, with arrivals decreasing by 62%. This reduction followed enhanced cooperation between Morocco and Spain, which was bolstered after Spain endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022.
However, the efforts to reroute migrants have not been without consequence. The Balearic Islands in Spain saw a 24.5% increase in arrivals, and Ceuta recorded a 42% rise in land entries. The human cost of these attempts remained substantial, with the NGO Caminando Fronteras documenting 3,090 deaths among those trying to reach Spain.
The main drivers of migration toward Europe, such as armed conflict in the Sahel, high unemployment, and climate change, continue to push people towards Europe. The majority of migrants reaching Spain via the Canary route originated from Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. Morocco’s efforts in rescuing 13,595 migrants at sea and facilitating the voluntary return of 4,372 others underscore the country’s commitment to a “human-centred approach “to migration management.
Source: moroccoworldnews
