Spain’s Ceuta migration influx: What we know
MADRID, Spain — The sudden arrival of 60,000 migrants into Spain’s north African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco has triggered a political crisis in Madrid and other European capitals.
How many arrived?
Some 60,000 migrants entered into the territory of 84,000 in less than three days, Ceuta’s top official Juan Jesus Vivas said.
The Spanish interior ministry said more than 48,000 of those who had arrived illegally in Ceuta had returned to Morocco.
READ: Tens of thousands of migrants voluntarily leave Spain’s Ceuta
The ministry said 34 people had died trying to reach Ceuta.
The scale is far bigger than the last similar event in May 2021 when around 12,000 crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta in just a few days, Vivas said at the time.
What is Morocco’s doing?
Ignacio Cembrero, a Spanish journalist specialised in migration in North Africa, said it appeared Moroccan security forces had been “sitting on their hands” since Wednesday.
“To reach the breakwater that marks the border between Ceuta and Morocco, there are cordons of police and auxiliary forces, and it’s obvious they’ve been allowed through,” he said.
Why now?
One possible reason for the time could be Spain’s Supreme Court ruling on July 8 that migrants arriving by sea should not be returned as quickly as others.
“Without a doubt, the July 8 ruling… has played a role,” Cembrero said.
“But that doesn’t explain the level of mobilization.”
Others have suggested the Spanish government’s relatively open migration policy could have played a part.
Leverage for Morocco?
Some analysts say Morocco is using the migration issue as a tool of diplomatic pressure.
Morocco has claimed sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla since its independence in 1956 — Spain has flatly rejected any talk.
Cembrero said Morocco had “seen an opportunity” to force Spain to negotiate.
What’s the reaction?
Italy announced on Friday that it was temporarily suspending Schengen rules allowing border-free travel with Spain.
READ: Italy says Spain should be suspended from Schengen zone
The rules apply to 29 countries, most of them EU members, and can only be suspended for a limited number of reasons.
The decision has been slammed by Madrid, and its scope remains unclear.
Legal experts consulted by AFP insisted it was impossible to implement under the current legal framework.
France and Britain expressed “solidarity” with Spain.
However, France announced later it would increase the number of police at its Spain border five-fold on Saturday.
Portugal also said it would beef up controls at its southern land and maritime borders. /das
