Rabat: “We are neither Europe’s policeman nor its caretaker. We are a sovereign partner, not a subcontractor,” a Moroccan government source stated on Monday in Rabat while questioning if the current framework for migration management is still suited to the new context.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the source expressed disappointment at the exploitation of events in Sebta (Ceuta) for electoral gain and political score-settling. The source noted that during the crisis, amidst sensationalist and alarmist media coverage, some political figures made hateful comments and engaged in outrageous rhetoric, showing a lack of vision and strategic foresight.

The government source criticized the lack of rigor and failure to consider the broader partnership, insisting that the rules of engagement must change. Emphasizing Morocco’s sovereignty, the source stated that Morocco protects its own territory and operates as a reliable and committed partner in a genuine partnership that cannot be one-sided.

The source highlighted the need for reinvigorated political will, restored clarity and predictability within the framework, and a redefinition of the rules of engagement. Financial support alone, the source insisted, is not the driving force behind Morocco’s actions, as there is no solely security-based solution to the migration issue.

The source pointed to a significant voluntary return movement from Sebta, attributing it to the socio-economic development efforts led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The source noted that many young people chose to return to Morocco after realizing that their situation at home was better than the imagined opportunities abroad, indicating the success of Morocco’s development initiatives.

Concluding, the government source called for Europe to partner in Morocco’s development and refrain from implementing policies that hinder growth in sectors such as Moroccan ports, the automotive industry, and finance, services, transport, and offshoring.