The Mayor of Ceuta accuses Morocco of provoking an influx of 69,500 migrants

Accusations Against Morocco

According to Укрінформ — Мігранти: The mayor of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, accused Morocco of provoking a mass influx of migrants to the region, which he characterized as an attack on the territorial integrity of Spain. Vivas noted that this process was 'if not organized, at least encouraged or permitted by the Moroccan authorities.'

Spanish officials reported that in recent days, approximately 69,500 people arrived in Ceuta, most of whom have already returned to Morocco. It is estimated that around 2,500 migrants who crossed the border illegally remain in the city. The population of Ceuta is about 84,000 people, and the mass influx of migrants has overwhelmed the city's infrastructure, causing a political crisis in the EU.

EU Response and Historical Context

In the context of these events, several EU member states accused Spain of creating the problem. Vivas recalled the events of May 2021, when Morocco eased border control, leading to the arrival of about 10,000 people in just two days. The conflict arose then due to Madrid's decision to provide medical assistance to the leader of Western Sahara. Analysts suggested that Spain's recent rapprochement with Algeria may have caused tensions between the countries.

Leaders of 22 EU member states have called for an immediate and coordinated response to the situation in Ceuta. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported on July 31 that nearly 50,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco to Ceuta in one day, and later the Spanish government confirmed that over 48,300 people who had arrived illegally in Ceuta had already returned.

This situation is part of a broader issue of European migration policy, where EU member states are often under pressure to find effective solutions for controlling migration flows. The highlighted events may lead to new discussions regarding cooperation between Spain and Morocco, as well as a review of response strategies to similar crises in the future.

The recent surge in migrants has prompted the local government to take drastic measures, including declaring a state of emergency. This situation echoes the challenges faced by Ceuta just weeks ago, when a significant number of migrants arrived in a short period. For a deeper understanding of how local authorities are responding to these ongoing migration issues, you can read more about the emergency measures implemented in Ceuta.