Tan-Tan – Algerian authorities handed over 33 Moroccan nationals to Morocco on Wednesday through the Zouj Bghal border crossing, including one minor, according to the Association for Assistance to Migrants in Vulnerable Situations in Oujda.
The handover involved young Moroccans who had been seeking to migrate, the association said.
Most of the returnees come from Ksar El Kebir, while the others are from several cities and provinces, including Nador, Settat, Oujda, Fez, Berkane, Taounate, Casablanca, Taza, Errachidia, Tinghir, Tetouan, and Jerada.
Families were waiting to receive their relatives upon their return, according to the association.
The organization said it continues to follow cases involving Moroccans who have been detained, reported missing, or have died abroad. Its work includes receiving requests for assistance, monitoring court proceedings, and helping families obtain documents needed to confirm the identities of those concerned and establish family relationships, including in cases involving deceased individuals.
The association also monitors cases involving Moroccan nationals held or detained in Libya. It reported an increase in the number of families contacting it for help in tracking their relatives’ situations or finding out what happened to them.
The handover took place against the backdrop of strained relations between Morocco and Algeria. The two countries have not had diplomatic relations since 2021, while their land border has remained closed for decades. The Zouj Bghal crossing is one of the points used for the return of Moroccan nationals from Algeria.
Moroccan nationals attempting to reach Europe through irregular migration routes can face detention or legal proceedings in transit countries.
Rights groups and migrant assistance organizations have repeatedly called for greater support for families trying to locate relatives who have gone missing or been detained during migration journeys. The latest handover is part of the wider effort by such organizations to help families establish the whereabouts of their relatives.
