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'Sleeping under a bridge, we already do that here!': In northern Morocco, youth prepare for the next migratory wave to S
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Energy & Infrastructure

'Sleeping under a bridge, we already do that here!': In northern Morocco, youth prepare for the next migratory wave to Spain

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Young Moroccans, like Reda and Karam, are preparing for a "collective passage" attempt to Spain around August 15, despite the dangers and uncertainties.
  • These youths, often having left school early, are driven by the belief that their future lies elsewhere, undeterred by past tragedies at the border crossings.
  • The article highlights the ongoing migration challenges faced by young people in northern Morocco, who see crossing to Spain as their only viable option.

In the northern Moroccan town of Fnideq, young individuals like 18-year-olds Reda and Karam are fixated on their next move: reaching Spain. Having recently returned from a perilous journey to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Reda is already planning his next attempt, with Karam eager to join him. They are targeting August 15, a date they believe will offer a "collective passage," a more organized, albeit still dangerous, attempt to cross the border.

These young men, who left school long before their 15th birthdays, are convinced their destinies lie beyond Morocco. The images of chaos, deaths, and the uncertainty that follows a successful border crossing into Ceuta or Melilla do not deter them. For them, the risks are a calculated part of a desperate gamble for a better future.

Sleeping under a bridge, we already do that here!

— Unnamed youthExpressing the dire living conditions and desperation driving migration attempts.

Their situation reflects a broader trend of migration from northern Morocco, particularly among youth who see limited opportunities in their home country. The phrase "Dormir sous un pont, on le fait déjà ici!" (Sleeping under a bridge, we already do that here!) encapsulates their desperation and the dire conditions they face, suggesting that even the harshest realities in Spain might be an improvement over their current circumstances.

The article, published on August 8, 2026, touches upon the ongoing migratory pressures and the preparations for what is anticipated to be the next "wave" of migrants heading towards Spain. It underscores the persistent challenges faced by vulnerable youth in the region who are willing to undertake dangerous journeys in search of a life they believe is unattainable in their homeland.

We will take advantage of the wave.

— Reda and KaramReferring to their planned attempt to cross the border collectively around August 15.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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