The Moroccan government had previously notified Spain of the potential migration challenges stemming from a recent Spanish court ruling, a top official revealed, rejecting any suggestion of a security lapse on Morocco’s part.
Over the past few days, nearly 60,000 individuals, primarily Moroccan nationals, crossed—or attempted to cross—the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on foot or by swimming from the nearby town of Fnideq. This unprecedented influx overwhelmed Ceuta’s resources before triggering thousands of returns to Morocco.
According to a senior official who spoke anonymously, Moroccan authorities had alerted Madrid about the risks posed by a Supreme Court decision stating that immediate deportation would not apply to migrants arriving by sea. «We explained that this ruling would create problems. And it did,» he stated.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attributed the unfolding migration crisis in Ceuta to a «rumour» spread by human trafficking networks, alleging a deliberate misinterpretation of the court’s decision.
The Moroccan official noted that discussions with Spanish counterparts began around July 22-23, as networks started circulating information about the ruling.
He firmly denied any failure in Morocco’s border security measures, emphasizing that authorities could not resort to force against such a large crowd. «It’s simplistic to claim Morocco should have just stopped them by force. That shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation,» he argued.
Morocco’s role in managing migration flows comes at a significant cost—approximately €500 million annually, he highlighted. Yet, he stressed that the burden is not solely Morocco’s to bear.
Despite the tension, he reassured that Rabat and Madrid remain «reliable partners,» maintaining «flawless coordination» on migration-related matters. «Today, it is Spain’s turn to address the challenges posed by this ruling,» he concluded.
