IN response to a surge in migrants using fake Côte d’Ivoire passports, Morocco has reinstated visa requirements for Ivorian citizens. This decision, announced by the Ivorian foreign ministry, aims to safeguard the ‘credibility of the Ivorian passport’ and curb illegal migration.
The ministry highlighted the growing problem of migrant trafficking networks offering counterfeit Ivorian passports and fake entry stamps to irregular immigrants attempting to reach Europe. The issue came to light when, of the 14,800 migrants who recently arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa, 170 claimed to be Ivorian. However, only 46 were confirmed as genuine Côte d’Ivoire nationals.
Morocco, a key departure point for migrants heading to Europe via the Mediterranean, has intensified its border surveillance efforts. Last year alone, Moroccan authorities prevented 75,184 people from illegally migrating to Europe, according to the country’s interior ministry.
The new visa requirement for ordinary Ivorian passport holders will be implemented on an experimental basis for two years, starting next month. However, Moroccan citizens traveling to Côte d’Ivoire will remain exempt from visa requirements. Additionally, Ivorians with diplomatic or service passports, Moroccan residence cards, or Schengen visas will also be exempt.
The Ivorian foreign ministry acknowledged that the visa reintroduction could be ‘painful for some of our compatriots’ but stressed its necessity in combating the spread of counterfeit passports. The impact of this measure will be evaluated after the first year to determine its effectiveness in addressing the issue
