Report shows Europe counting on Morocco to tackle irregular migration

The Mixed Migration Center reported that Morocco’s strategic location has positioned it as a key player in managing migration between mainland Europe and Africa. This has been evident in several recent agreements between Morocco and the European Union (EU).

The center highlighted the EU’s Operational Partnership (ASOP) with Morocco, launched in July 2022, to tackle criminal networks, irregular migration and save lives. 

This collaboration has led to increased Moroccan efforts, preventing tens of thousands of migrants from entering Europe through illegal crossings since early 2023.

The report also examined some of the world’s major migration hotspots, including the Mediterranean routes between Africa and Europe and the English Channel between France and the UK. 

It noted the continuous flow of migrants into Europe, particularly Italy, from North African countries like Tunisia and Libya. In response, Italy has signed agreements with these countries to curb the rising numbers.

Regarding Spain, the report stated that 17,475 migrants reached Spanish territory and the occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla via the Western Mediterranean Route (WMR) in 2024. 

This figure is slightly higher than 16,000 in 2022, but lower than 20,000 in 2021, 19,000 in 2019, and 60,000 in 2018. 

The migrants arriving in Spain in 2024 mainly include Algerians, Syrians, Moroccans, and sub-Saharan Africans, as well as Malians and Sudanese.

The report also highlighted the growing migration via the Atlantic route toward Europe. 

In 2024, over 46,000 migrants took this route—an increase from previous years. It has seen many fluctuations with previous highs recorded in 2006 with 31,000 arrivals, before seeing a steady decrease until another spike was seen in 2020 and 2021 spurred by rumors that deaths from Covid-19 in Europe had created demand for labour in Spain.

Many of them were Mauritanians, Moroccans, Senegalese, and Malians. 

The report predicted that EU migration policies will remain crucial in the upcoming years, but also emphasized the need for updates as new routes emerge, requiring stronger cooperation with the Global South.