LAAYOUNE/RABAT/BRUSSELS (own report) - Several agreements made with Morocco by the EU are in breach of international law, not least because they amount to support for Rabat’s rule over Western Sahara, known as the last colony on the African continent. At the beginning of October, the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the EU's highest court, confirmed the breach in a judgement that declares the EU’s trade and fisheries agreements with Morocco unlawful. The problem is that agreements have been concluded with Morocco but also concern Western Sahara, a territory illegally occupied by Morocco, as the ECJ reiterates. The court establishes that the EU must conclude any agreements relating to Western Sahara with the legitimate representative body of the Sahrawi population, which is the Frente Polisario. The ECJ judgement follows rulings by the United Nations, which currently ascribes colonial status to Western Sahara. Brussels and Berlin simply say they have “taken note” of the legal position, while not taking any steps to comply with it. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen doubles down, announcing the EU’s desire to take the “profound friendship” with Morocco “to the next level”. So policymakers prioritise initiatives to block the flow of refugees and exploit renewable energy sources above compliance. Read more

BRUSSELS/TUNIS/RABAT (own report) – The Tunisian authorities once again expelled a large number of refugees into the desert in the past week – a practice that takes place under cooperation arrangements with the EU designed to push back and deter migrants. Human rights activists in Tunis have reported that Tunisian officials abandoned around forty sub-Saharan refugees in an isolated desert area without food or water. It is unknown whether those forcibly expelled are still alive or whether they have since died of thirst. In July 2023, the EU concluded a deal with Tunisia to stop migrants heading for Europe. It has made 785 million euros available for this purpose. Tunis has agreed to do everything it can to prevent refugees from crossing the Mediterranean. Since then, the Tunisian government has been sending desperate people into the desert. The governments of Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria are also cooperating with the EU on “migrant control” and are pursuing the same deadly practice. In February, for example, Brussels promised Mauritania 210 million euros in return for measures to prevent refugees from travelling to the Canary Islands. Dead bodies are repeatedly discovered in the desert on the borders of Tunisia, Algeria and other countries. Read more