UNHCR: Morocco Consolidates Its Role as Key Country of Asylum

Rabat – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has released a new factsheet, reflecting on the importance of Morocco’s consolidated role in asylum.

The report that ReliefWeb posted today sheds light on Morocco as a country that has consolidated its role as a “key country of asylum at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Atlantic migration routes.”

UNHCR describes Morocco as a protection and inclusion space amid regional instability, citing its work with Moroccan officials to support the strengthening of asylum and protection frameworks.

Data in the factsheet show key figures that highlight Morocco as not only a transit but also a host country, providing a stable environment in the region for people seeking asylum.

The figures say the organization has registered 23,615 refugees and asylum seekers from over 60 countries in Morocco as of July. By nationality, people from Sudan rank first with 6,816; they are followed by Syrians (5,239), Guineans (2,066), Ivoirians (1,755), and nationals from the Central African Republic (1,357).

The total number registered as of June includes 10,538 refugees and 13,077 asylum seekers. The report highlights how arrivals from Sudan increased sharply since 2024, accounting for the majority of new registrations in 2025 and 2026 to date – with Sudanese nationals representing 68% of all registrations in 2026.

This means registrations account for an average of 233 individuals registered per month, with unaccompanied children accounting for one in nine newly registered individuals.

The report also cites initiatives and partnerships with Morocco, hailing the  “close partnership” it has built over the years with organizations covering humanitarian-focused workshops, campaigns, and initiatives seeking to ensure the protection of migrants in the North African country.

This is not an isolated report from UNHCR, which has previously acknowledged Morocco’s efforts in hosting refugees and asylum seekers with growing protection needs. 

Since 2015, Morocco has traditionally addressed the management of irregular migration through a human-focused national system, improved documentation processes, and close partnership with government and NGOs to serve migrants’ needs.

Morocco remains target of smear campaigns despite well-documented efforts

Despite these efforts, Morocco often comes under smear campaigns whose orchestrators are quick to  link any small or slightly significant migration crisis as proof that the country’s migration efforts are below par.

This has been especially evident in the latest events surrounding the mass crossings into Ceuta in late July, when tens of thousands of irregular migrants forced their way to the Spanish enclave between July 30-31.

The situation sparked one of the largest anti-Morocco campaigns among Spanish far-right politicians, who have baselessly accused Morocco of launching a “hybrid attack”  against Spain by using mass irregular migration as an instrument of political leverage or pressure.

However, Spain’s own government and official police investigations into the latest Ceuta crisis have repeatedly denied the accusations targeting Rabat while emphasizing the importance of migration cooperation with Morocco. 

Morocco has meanwhile reiterated its commitment to migration management despite the ongoing crisis. 

Yet while renewing its commitment to remain a reliable and trusted Spanish and European ally in managing irregular migration, Morocco warned that it is not and should not be regarded as a policeman for EU borders.

Morocco notably activated an emergency approach to help tackle the crisis in Ceuta, with Rabat and Madrid announcing an agreement on the return of migrants home hours following the late July mass migration attempts.

The vast majority of people who entered Ceuta returned to Morocco within days of the mass crossings. Spanish officials alleged the number of those who entered the enclave was between 70,000 and 80,000.