Morocco has said it is prepared to cooperate with Spain and other European partners to facilitate the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors who remain in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta following last week’s mass migrant crossings.
Morocco’s state news agency MAP, citing a diplomatic source, said authorities had received royal instructions for the interior and foreign ministries to work on identifying unaccompanied minors so arrangements could be made for their return to Morocco.
“Morocco has committed, in line with high royal instructions issued to the interior and foreign affairs ministries, to work towards identifying unaccompanied minors with a view to their return to their homeland,” MAP reported.
The move follows an unprecedented influx into Ceuta last week, during which Spanish authorities said around 72,000 migrants crossed into the enclave. Moroccan authorities have put the number involved at roughly 40,000.
Most of those who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco, but the situation of minors remains more complicated because they cannot be immediately sent back under the same procedures applied to adults.
Local authorities say at least 1,100 unaccompanied minors are still in Ceuta. The figure includes children and teenagers who arrived during last week’s crossings as well as others who were already in the enclave beforehand.
The issue has become one of the most sensitive elements of the migration crisis, with Spanish authorities facing pressure over accommodation and protection arrangements for minors while negotiations continue with Morocco over possible returns.
Morocco’s latest statement signals that Rabat is willing to work with Madrid on identifying eligible minors and establishing a framework for their repatriation.