Moroccan Teen Reaches Spain's Ceuta, Calls Father: 'I'm in Europe'

A 16-year-old apprentice pastry chef from Marrakech, identified as Alì S., has successfully reached Ceuta, Spain, a Spanish city on the North African coast. He contacted his father from Ceuta, reporting that he was in Europe and that the border had been open.

Alì described his journey as straightforward, involving a bus to Tangier and then a series of car rides to Ceuta. He did not have to swim or face life-threatening dangers, unlike some other migrants. He learned about the open border through word-of-mouth, a common method among those seeking to cross.

He arrived in Ceuta during Morocco's celebrations for King Mohammed VI's 27th anniversary on the throne. Alì, however, is unaware of any deaths, political issues, or international crises related to the border situation. He mentioned hearing about "fawda," or chaos, but reassured his father that minors are not typically deported.

Alì rejects the label of "harraga" (one who flees) because he had a job in Marrakech. However, he explained that life in Morocco is restrictive without money, limiting freedom, travel, and access to healthcare. He expressed a common desire among young Moroccans, particularly Generation Z, to reach Europe, which they perceive as a land of freedom and opportunity, a modern-day myth akin to the tales of Ulysses.