HIBAPRESS – Rabat
The participation of a number of Moroccans residing in Spain in demonstrations that took place in the capital, Madrid, against Morocco, has sparked a wave of discontent among Moroccans inside and outside the country.
Moroccans expressed their anger at the appearance of members of the diaspora alongside Spanish protesters in actions that included criticism and insults towards Morocco, especially after footage surfaced documenting the tearing of the Moroccan flag. They consider participation in demonstrations targeting their homeland to raise questions about its motives.
The protests witnessed Spanish demands related to the file of the occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla, in addition to calls to tighten dealings with Moroccan immigrants who entered the city during the recent migration wave. The protesters also directed criticism at the Spanish government due to its management of the migration crisis.
The controversy was not limited to Moroccan participation, as an Algerian presence was observed among the protesters, amidst accusations against the Algerian authorities of working to mobilize and transport Algerians to Madrid to participate in the protests.
This Algerian presence, in turn, raised questions, especially due to its connection to issues directly affecting Moroccan-Spanish relations and the issue of Ceuta and Melilla.
