Morocco Deports Would-Be Immigrants

The Moroccan government began deporting would-be immigrants Monday after recent attempts by hundreds of Africans to storm across razor-wire fences at the borders of two Spanish enclaves.

A Royal Air Maroc flight took off from Oujda, in northeastern Morocco, carrying 140 Senegalese to Dakar, Senegal’s capital. Moroccan police also were aboard, although the passengers were not handcuffed. Some had slight injuries, such as cuts on their arms.

The Africans were picked up at various sites in Morocco, including near the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast, which have been rushed by waves of migrants.

Morocco is the gateway to Europe for many sub-Saharan Africans fleeing poverty. At least a dozen Africans have been killed in the recent charging of the border fences.

A second flight carrying an additional 140 Senegalese was also scheduled to depart Monday.

Moroccan authorities were looking to charter Boeing 747s to fly home about 600 Malians today, as well as more Senegalese in the coming days.

One Senegalese, who gave his name as Abdoulaye, said he had made his way to Spain three times but was sent back each time. The 26-year-old said he was relieved to be returning to Senegal.

“We are happy to be going home, because here there are many problems,” Abdoulaye said before he and the others boarded their flight.

Aside from 1,000 Nigerians who were repatriated in 2003, Moroccan authorities in the past have dropped off illegal immigrants at Morocco’s desert border with Algeria, a practice that has been criticized by humanitarian groups.

The aid group Doctors Without Borders reported last week that Moroccan authorities had abandoned 600 to 700 Africans near the border, in an area without food or water.