In Morocco, the launch of the 24th edition of Operation Marhaba, marking the return of Moroccans living abroad (MRE) for the summer holidays, experienced several hiccups: exorbitant travel prices, dysfunction in the ports and a broken down ship.
Morocco. Image by DK-ART / Adobe Stock
Operation Marhaba 2024 was inaugurated on Wednesday June 5, a little earlier than planned due to the celebration of Eid al-Adha scheduled for June 16 in Morocco. The Mohammed V foundation in charge of the operation has put into service a reception system activated in Morocco, France, Italy and Spain.
But barely launched, the operation has already experienced disruptions and dysfunctions. To begin with, Moroccans around the world preparing to join Morocco as part of the operation continue to denounce exorbitant prices travel tickets.
Prices for travel tickets to Morocco still high
Several deputies in the House of Advisors questioned the Minister of Transport, Mohammed Abdeljalil, on this subject. MPs from various parliamentary groups reported, in questions addressed to the minister, a “ exorbitant rise in travel ticket prices “.
The questions, cited on Wednesday June 12 by the Bladi information site, also relate to the demands of (MRE) who call for a reduction in the prices offered by European shipping and airline companies.
In response, the head of the transport sector said “ be aware of rising prices », emphasizing that this situation is due to the law of supply and demand and the surge in fuel prices “ due to global inflation “.
In this regard, the General Union of Moroccan Workers indicates that it is precisely not necessary “ leaving Moroccans around the world exposed to what is called the law of supply and demand “.
The minister emphasizes, however, that Operation Marhaba was “ at the heart of concerns » from his department, recalling that 3.2 million MRE participated in this operation last year.
Malfunction at the port of Algeciras and a ferry breaks down mid-crossing
However, barely launched, this operation, supposed to support MREs during their return, is already showing dysfunctions. Travellers to Morocco indeed faced poor organization of the Marhaba operation at the port of Algeciras, in Spain.
The Spanish port authorities have only granted one lane of access to ferries serving the port of Tangier Med, and adopted a very slow control method, reports the same source.
Long queues formed to board ships departing from the Spanish port to the Tangier-Med port, with travelers and autonomists forced to move slowly to access the ferries.
The situation was made worse by the absence of Moroccan agents responsible for directing passengers at the port of Algeciras and facilitating communication between members of the diaspora from European countries other than Spain and the Spanish port authorities.
And to top it all off, the ferry “Morocco Express 1” from the AML Stena Line company, recently authorized to operate the connection between Tarifa (in the south of Spain) and Tangier city, broke down at sea during its journey. first trip.
The company was forced to replace this ferry with another called “Maria Dolores”, flying the Maltese flag, which should return to the port of Tangier this Wednesday, June 12.
