Layla J. - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, or Religion

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 I am focusing on Sub-Saharan African migrants living in Morocco, who often live in the country after or before trying to cross into Europe. Human rights crises in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan have driven younger Africans to escape to Morocco, and eventually to Europe if possible. However, strict European border policies have resulted in more restrictions on whether these migrants can reach Europe; thus, several end up settling in Morocco to escape the dangers in their home countries. These Sub-Saharan migrants often face racism and discrimination in Morocco and there are little policies or laws to protect them, especially if they do not have official residency status. During my time in Casablanca, I noticed a few Sub-Saharan men, particularly young men that seemed to be working in the city. I really only saw Sub-Saharan Africans in Casablanca, and when I read more online, I found out that the city often a stopover for migrants looking to reach the border and attempt to go to Europe. With this information, I wonder if the rise in stricter European border policies has encouraged Sub-Saharan African migrants to settle in Morocco rather than try to reach Europe, and whether this has resulted in more discrimination and intolerance against them or more acceptance from Moroccan society at large. 


Collas, Aurélie. “Casablanca, the ‘new Invisible Border’ for Migrants with Their Sights Set on Europe.” Le Monde.Fr, Le Monde, 10 Feb. 2023, www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2023/02/10/casablanca-the-new-invisible-border-for-migrants-with-their-sights-set-on-europe_6015219_124.html. 

“Human Rights in Africa Regional Overview.” Edited by Amnesty International, Amnesty International, 2024, www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/report-africa/. 

King, Stephen  J. “Sub-Saharan African Migrants in North Africa: Morocco Shows a Way Forward.” Wilson Center, 3 Aug. 2023, www.wilsoncenter.org/article/sub-saharan-african-migrants-north-africa-morocco-shows-way-forward. 

Mason, Paul. “Morocco Accused of Human Rights Breaches over Migrants.” BBC News, BBC, 4 Sept. 2013, www.bbc.com/news/business-23959892. 

Comments

  1. Clara ForehandMay 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM

    So interesting! I also noticed that we only saw people from Sub-Saharan Africa in Casablanca and not anywhere else we've been. One thing I learned from your post is how European border policies have ripple effects that lead to migrants spending time in Casablanca. To add to what you researched, I found that Morocco signed a National Strategy for Immigration and Asylum (NSIA) in 2014 aimed at improving migrants' rights and integration, although implementation hasn't necessarily been equal across migrant groups.

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