Spanish officials have accused Morocco of facilitating or permitting a mass border crossing into Ceuta last week that brought tens of thousands of migrants to the Spanish enclave in North Africa. Juan Jesús Vivas, the leader of Ceuta, described the influx as an “atrocity” and characterized it as an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity. While stopping short of claiming Moroccan authorities orchestrated the event, Vivas stated that the crossing appeared to be at minimum encouraged or allowed by Rabat.
According to Spanish officials, approximately 69,500 people crossed into Ceuta late last week, with most returning to Morocco in subsequent days. However, around 2,500 individuals remained in the city of 84,000 residents, creating significant strain on local resources and services. Spanish intelligence services suggested the surge may have been triggered by false social media claims regarding border policies, though they noted that Moroccan border surveillance was either minimal or completely absent during the crossing.
Spain’s defense minister called on Morocco to investigate the incident, suggesting coordination between the two nations was necessary to address the tragedy. The border crossing echoed a similar 2021 incident when Morocco loosened controls during diplomatic tensions with Spain. Analysts have speculated that Spain’s recent alignment with Algeria, Morocco’s regional rival, may have prompted a response from Rabat.
Originally reported by Theguardian →
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