Does Morocco’s Application To The European Union Make It A Non-African Country?
On January 14, 2026, an X user, @ali_naka made claims that Morocco has applied for membership in the European Union (EU). The post had the caption “Morocco applied for European Union membership. AFCON is for Africans. End Of Post”
When this report was published, this claim had reached 583,100 views and generated over 21,000 replies, reposts, quotes, likes, and bookmarks. In the comment section, @sidcorr wrote “Because Africa is a failed continent. I would do the same if I had the opportunity” and @t_junction1 said “I’ll never support Morocco”
VERIFICATION
In 1987, Morocco made an attempt to join the European Communities, which later became the EU. The application was rejected because Morocco is geographically outside Europe, and only European states are eligible for membership under EU treaties.
Since that rejection, Morocco has not pursued another membership bid. Instead, the country maintains a structured partnership with the EU through the EU-Morocco Association Agreement, trade cooperation, and political dialogue. These arrangements do not amount to membership or a pathway to accession.
Morocco is located in North Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It shares land borders with Algeria and has a territorial connection to the region commonly known as the Maghreb, which includes African states such as Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, and Algeria.
Morocco remains an African country by geography, international recognition, and political identity, regardless of the nature of its relationships with Europe. Morocco’s interest in the European Union and its diplomatic relations with the EU does not make it a non-African country.
CONCLUSION
The claim that Morocco applied for European Union membership, and hence isn’t an African country is MISLEADING. It is true that Morocco applied for EU membership but this happened in 1987 and the application was rejected on geographic grounds. The country’s geography, international recognition, and political identity remain African till date.
