Summary:

On 25 February 2025, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Nasser Bourita commented on Morocco’s denial of entry to Western Sahara of several Members of the European Parliament (MEP) on 20 February, indicating they had not respected the proper coordination procedures. 

The MFA justified the decision based on the requirement of coordination with the Moroccan Parliament and the presence of a Moroccan Parliamentarian as an interlocutor for the MEPs.  

The three MEPs were not on an official mission; however, they said that the visit was to exercise their function as monitors of Morocco’s compliance with the EU court ruling which annuled the agriculture and fishing arrangements between the EU and Morocco in Western Sahara. 

A Spanish MEP, Isabel Serra, published a video on her Instagram claiming she and her colleagues were blocked from entering Western Sahara and pushed inside an airplane before being expelled from Morocco. She explained that the “authorities’ aim was to prevent [the MEPs] from seeing what is happening in the occupied territory, how Morocco is exploiting the resources, and prevent them from meeting human rights associations and from defending the Saharawi cause.” 

Nasser Bourita stated that the MEPs visit was an “agitation without impact” as international support for the “Moroccanness” of the Sahara is advancing. 

Outlook: 

The incident comes a few days after Morocco blocked Spanish parliamentarians from the Basque region from entering Western Sahara despite communicating their visit to the MFA. Several similar incidents highlight Morocco’s tendency to deny access to parties in contact with the Polisario Front in Western Sahara. 

This practice could backfire as Morocco garners criticism and raises concerns in Europe about violations of agreements in the disputed region.  

Additionally, the allegedly aggressive means of expulsion risk harming Morocco’s reputation among foreigners.  

The respective governments of the MEPs who were denied entry have remained silent, likely in an effort to maintain strong diplomatic ties with Morocco which continues to use Western Sahara  as a key diplomatic issue with partners.  

These incidents are also likely to be exploited by Algerian media to discredit Moroccan control of Western Sahara and support MEPs’ efforts to mobilize the EU to take hostile actions towards Morocco. 

For foreigners in Morocco, showing support or sympathy toward the Sahrawis may lead to challenges with the authorities who carefully monitor such activities. 

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