A few days ago, La Nouvelle Tribune received on its Facebook page a striking comment from a sub-Saharan wishing to express himself on the situation of migrants in Morocco.
“Hello “La Nouvelle Tribune”, I would like to send a message, talk, exchange through your channel. Yes, because very often, as sub-Saharan foreigners residing in Morocco, we are not listened to at all, we have no channel of communication with those in charge…”.
The New Tribune contacted the person in question to give him the floor.
Jean Nani: When we talk about migrants, the first idea that comes to mind is clandestinity; however, according to the United Nations, this term designates, and I quote, “any person who has resided in a foreign country for more than one year, whatever the causes, voluntary or involuntary”. In short, I think it is necessary to clarify the terms to be understood by all your readers.
In general, most sub-Saharans come to Morocco for different reasons, namely: studies, care and health, trade and of course illegal immigration, via the desert and others to then sail to Europe.
In the last case, I don’t have precise information, I’ll try not to dwell too much on it for the moment. I believe this needs to be dealt with much more in depth.
It is therefore a question of a “life” project for which thousands of euros are put into play for a very specific purpose: plane ticket, housing, private hospitals, school fees, purchases, the time of a short stay or a longer project such as medical care or university studies as in my case.
We leave our parents, our families, several people behind us, to embrace a country, a completely different culture, which already constitutes a real wealth.
I still remember with great emotion the meeting that was held with my father and my mother the day before my trip to Morocco. Between concerns, clichés, advice, tears and hopes.
One thing is certain, whatever the reason for our presence in Morocco, they will all tell you: “I am here, just in time”. The goal is to return to our respective countries or continue to the West.
How are your interactions with the Moroccan administration going? What are the main blockages?
The Moroccan administration… the nerve center of the deterioration of the mental and physical health of many sub-Saharans. I praise and respect these men and women who do extremely tedious work, day after day.
It must be said, in the Maghreb, Morocco is one of the rare countries to favor the reception of foreigners, because of the very strong links woven here and there, with the other countries of the sub-region.
But I really deplore the lack of consistency between the harshness of the Moroccan administration, and the fact that Morocco wants to be an open and influential country in Africa, including in African organizations.
When we come here for the first time, after the registration procedures made at the level of our respective embassies, we are required to be in good standing with the laws of the host country, as is the case everywhere, and this involves obtaining a “residence permit”… the famous sesame, the Holy Grail… the document par excellence to be at peace and follow the factual objective of our visit to Morocco. And that’s where the trouble starts. I can assure you that no one comes to others with the aim of not complying with internal laws, whether you are a student, trader, worker, or business manager. Between the laws that are constantly changing only for foreigners, the nervous breakdowns of certain people in the administration, it is extremely difficult to be in order even with goodwill.
Sometimes it goes well, sometimes you have very hurtful phrases, like “go back to your country”. I can not translate here all the setbacks, the pain, the discouragement of all these people who are infantilized and chased from the premises despite the desire to be only in good standing. And who find themselves stuck in Morocco, blocked in their life project because of a paper, to live like pariahs, like failures.
Without a residence permit, it is difficult to have a house.
Without a residence permit, it is difficult to work.
