Morocco has always acted as a “sovereign, loyal and responsible” partner in combating illegal immigration, a government source said on Monday in Rabat, stressing that migration management is a “shared responsibility” and that the Kingdom has “always shouldered its share.”
“Morocco has never done anything under pressure, nor acted out of obligation or in response to blackmail,” the source underscored, asserting that “commitment and responsibility have always been the driver of our action.” In the source’s words, migration is a complex issue for which everyone must assume their responsibilities. “We fully assume ours,” they maintained.
The government source went on to say that this commitment is reflected in “results that are visible to all, even if they are sometimes taken for granted and the achievement they represent is no longer fully appreciated.” On a different veit, the source stressed that “we are neither Europe’s policeman nor its caretaker. We are a sovereign partner, not a subcontractor,” regarding migration management, while questioning if the current framework is still suited to the new context.
The source called it “disappointing to see the events in Sebta (Ceuta) exploited for electoral gain and political score-settling,” adding that “at the height of the crisis, amid sensationalist and alarmist media coverage, we heard the most hateful comments and outrageous rhetoric.” “We saw just how far some political figures fell short of the historical moment, and how disappointing their reaction was,” the source lamented.
The government source expressed deep shock not only at the total lack of vision, but also at the severe strategic short-sightedness of some and the political opportunism of others.
Having witnessed a lack of rigor, a failure to look at the broader partnership, and an absence of the will to make proper distinctions, ” we’ve reached a clear conclusion: the rules of engagement must change!” the source insisted.
It must be clear to everyone that “Morocco protects its own territory, but no one does it on its behalf.” “Everyone must shoulder their responsibilities,” the source pointed out, underscoring the need to update the rules governing that partnership.
There’s a need to reinvigorate political will, restore clarity and predictability at the heart of the framework, rebuild trust and accountability, and redefine the rules of engagement