King Mohammed VI marks 27th anniversary as Morocco celebrates diplomatic ties and faces Ceuta migration crisis

On 30 July 2026, Morocco commemorated the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne. Diplomatic receptions were held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and Lomé, Togo, where ambassadors Youssef Slaoui and Hamid Mechino highlighted the kingdom’s development projects, South‑South cooperation and the strengthening of bilateral relations with the host countries.

The king’s address praised Morocco’s economic growth, noting advances in automotive, aerospace, renewable energy and infrastructure, and underscored the nation’s role as a leading industrial hub in Africa. International leaders, including heads of state from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, sent congratulatory messages.

At the same time, the anniversary coincided with a sudden surge of migrants attempting to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Tens of thousands of Moroccans, driven by unemployment and limited prospects, risked police confrontations and dangerous sea swims. Spanish authorities reported 72 deaths, while Moroccan officials confirmed 11 fatalities, most caused by drowning. The crisis sparked political debate across Europe on migration policy.