Morocco Foils 68 000 Illegal Migration Attempts Since 2002

Morocco, which is located only 8.6 miles (14 Km) away from Spain, is facing a growing number of migrants from around Africa attempting to cross to Europe from its Northern coasts.

Moroccan authorities have foiled 68,000 illegal migration attempts and dismantled 122 human trafficking networks since 2002, said on Thursday Junior Interior Minister Noureddine Boutayeb at the Africa Security Forum held by Atlantic think tank in Rabat.

He also said the North African Kingdom has seized 2,000 migrant smuggling boats since 2002 and dismantled 185 terrorist networks during the same period.

Morocco had called on European and African countries to enhance dialogue on migration, saying Euro-African migration cooperation should be based on solidarity with African countries and not focusing only on border control and the fight against criminal networks.

Migration is a global issue, which should be tackled through a comprehensive and open approach seeking to consolidate peace, stability and development of the African continent.

Morocco will host Dec.10-11 the intergovernmental conference on international migration. The UN conference is expected to work out a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.

The global compact for migration will be the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

Defending the “landmark” migration compact, President of the UN General Assembly, María Fernanda Espinosa, said the accord is a tool that would ensure all migrants everywhere have their rights safeguarded and are treated fairly.

“The Compact allows enormous flexibility for countries to use the parts of the compact that can be adapted to their sovereign decisions and existing legal frameworks…it is a cooperation instrument,” said Ms. Espinosa, briefing reporters at UN Headquarters in New York recently.