A beach in the Spanish territory of Ceuta, located in North Africa, turned into a camp for hundreds of immigrants on July 3rd. This movement comes days after thousands of people crossed the border.
Spanish authorities estimate that approximately 69,500 immigrants have already been repatriated to Morocco over the last four days. This total exceeds initial projections that indicated around 50,000 entries into the city by June 30th.
The official death toll shows 72 deaths on the Spanish side of the border, while 11 deaths were recorded in the Moroccan area.
Several immigrants reported that the decision to leave Ceuta was motivated by the stoppage of commerce, which resulted in food shortages. They also reported having suffered from the hostility of the local population and the impossibility of proceeding to mainland Spain.
Ceuta, along with Melilla, another Spanish enclave in North Africa, is located on the Mediterranean coast, neighboring Morocco. Both places are points of frequent crossing attempts by immigrants who want to reach Europe.
Released footage revealed dozens of immigrants, most of them from Sub-Saharan Africa, resting on the sand of El Trampolín beach. Several individuals protected themselves from the wind with towels, while Army and police cars patrolled the adjacent road.
Juan Jesus Vivas, leader of Ceuta, gave an interview to a broadcaster, reporting that the enclave still houses between 3,000 and 5,000 immigrants. He added that the two reception centers, one for adults and the other for minors, collapsed due to overload.
Alberto Gaitan, municipal authority, stated that the city is in the process of assisting 862 immigrant minors. These young people receive specific legal protections that protect them from deportation.
Diplomatic developments and criticism in the European Union
The escalation of the crisis has fueled anti-immigration rhetoric across the European continent and generated significant diplomatic tensions within the European Union (EU) regarding border policy. Spain, in particular, criticized some partner countries for adopting a harmful and polarizing stance.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, declared on July 3 that his country had already provided support to other EU nations in times of migration crises. Therefore, I now expected reciprocity in aid.
The European bloc scheduled an emergency video conference meeting, bringing together interior ministers, to discuss the crisis on July 4th.
Albares directed harsh criticism at the Italian government, accusing it of contributing to the spread of disinformation.
He also mentioned that Morocco promptly offered police support and did not establish conditions for cooperation, which enabled the rapid return of most of the individuals who made the crossing.
On the other hand, Vivas, representative of Ceuta, expressed criticism of Morocco. He emphasized the widespread perception in Ceuta that the neighboring country had allowed the crisis, or even orchestrated it.
“Morocco has shown us that it cannot be trusted. There is no alternative but to implement all necessary means to ensure it cannot do this again,” Vivas said.
On July 2, the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior attributed the growth in the migration flow to inaccurate information disseminated on social platforms, the activities of human trafficking networks and a misinterpretation of a Spanish court ruling that prohibited the immediate return of immigrants intercepted on the high seas.
This position aligned with the official perspective presented by the Spanish government.
Intelligence investigations into the situation at the border
According to information obtained, which cited authorities aware of the matter, Spain’s intelligence services pointed out that Morocco did not plan the mass crossing, but rather allowed it to happen.
Morocco’s border control mechanisms were gradually relaxed throughout July and, according to reports, were removed as large groups of people advanced towards the Tarajal crossing, during the Moroccan Throne Day celebrations.
The Moroccan Interior Ministry did not immediately respond when asked to comment on the situation.
In its statement on July 2, the ministerial ministry reiterated that Morocco maintains its “commitment to strengthening international cooperation and coordination in the fight against irregular migration and human trafficking.”
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s Interior Minister, reported to journalists on July 1 that the foreign intelligence agency CNI, linked to the Ministry of Defense, did not issue warnings about an imminent increase in the flow.
On July 3, it was reported that this fact resulted in friction between the two ministerial portfolios involved.