An immigrant camp in Casablanca burned for the third time

A camp of self-initiated African immigrants in Casablanca, Morocco, was completely burned down. It's the third time in a year. There were no deaths.

"I lost everything: my belongings, my money and even my passport," says one of the African residents in the Moroccan media. "We were already living in terrible conditions, but now, it's even worse, it's like a nightmare," adds another inhabitant.

The fire is declared after an explosion of gas cylinders. According to witnesses who spoke to Moroccan media, two residents fought next to the gas bottles, after which one of them threw a match at the other one that was found on the gas bottles and caused the fire. Ouled Ziane bus station in Casablanca. There was no sanitary facilities and no security. The approximately two hundred inhabitants live on donations from Moroccans. This creates frustration with the inhabitants of the city of origin. They say that they suffer from piss, beggars and ornamental attempts on the part of "their" Moroccan women. These frustrations led to fighting near the camp last November, after which Moroccans set fire to the camp.

Last July, camp residents were also victims of a fire, also caused by the explosion of gas cylinders. According to some residents, some Moroccans would have lit the fire, but there is no evidence. The government has never allowed to investigate the fire. The Moroccan government is remarkably quiet again.

Get on the bus

Self-erecting camps, like Casablanca, exist in several cities of the country. Since Europe is asking Morocco to better protect its borders, African refugees and immigrants are "stuck" in the country. They often go north to take the crossing point in Europe, but are stopped by the Moroccan police. It does not matter whether or not they have a residence permit or an asylum application. "To keep them out of reach of smugglers," says the Moroccan government

Africans are placed in a bus by the authorities and taken to the center or south of the country. There they are thrown with a picnic at a bus station. Many people build their own camp there and do not escape anymore. "Because when we go out, we are taken back and driven further south," said a resident of Moroccan media. "So staying here is the only choice we have."