Ceuta: "Better to be homeless in Spain than to return to Morocco": testimonies

The British newspaper 'The Sunday Times' has published, in a lengthy investigation, the testimonies of some Moroccan citizens, among the tens of thousands of people who fled the kingdom for the city of Ceuta at the end of July, who say they would prefer to live "homeless" in Spain rather than return to the "hell" of Morocco. 

The lengthy investigation begins with a fundamental question: why do some Moroccans who have arrived in Ceuta refuse to return home, despite having neither a roof over their heads nor enough food?  

In their responses, they state that they fled unemployment, the rising cost of living, low wages, and the lack of public services, especially healthcare and education, arguing that the economic indicators cited by the Makhzen (the System, Morocco's state and government apparatus) do not correspond to the reality on the ground. 

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Among the cases reported in the investigation is that of Alae Eddine Boulaaz, 23, who left the country with her younger brother, Anas, 21. In her statements, Alae describes the terrible conditions faced by young people in Morocco, due to the lack of job opportunities, conditions that have driven thousands of people to flee the country.  

After working in the police force, he found a job at a fruit export company, earning 300 euros a month. "It's nothing, it's not even enough to cover expenses," he says. He even took to the streets, participating in the 2025 Generation Z demonstrations, which called for a change of direction. It was all in vain. "Nothing has changed," he says.  

"I want a better life for my family and to live with dignity," says Alae. The survey highlights that this sentiment is not limited to the poorest segments of society, citing the case of Fatima, 33, a graduate with two university degrees but with an income insufficient to live on, pushing her to seek a better life outside Morocco due to worsening living conditions. 

While the healthcare system is underfunded and waiting lists are growing, the kingdom is investing in stadiums for the 2030 World Cup, especially the one in Casablanca, which will have 115 seats, the largest in the world. "Nobody," says Fatima, "wants the World Cup; it's seen as a political ploy to make people forget the lack of basic necessities." 

Meanwhile, Fatima continues, "We have no health care or social security. If you get sick and go to the hospital, you die waiting for treatment. Our children have no access to education. The cost of living has risen to unsustainable levels in the last two years. Even I'm losing hope."
 

The survey also includes testimonies from several other people who prefer living homeless in Ceuta to remaining in their home country. Interviewees speak at length of widespread nepotism and corruption, which have led to a loss of faith in the possibility of improving the situation. 

(Adnkronos)