Morocco has firmly rejected Spain's assertions regarding mass entries into Ceuta and has demanded that Madrid repatriate irregular Moroccan migrants and unaccompanied minors. This statement was released by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry in Rabat on September 10, 2026. Morocco has categorically denied any state involvement in the migration crisis that escalated at the end of July, while simultaneously launching a sharp critique against various political, media, and institutional actors in Spain. A recently released report from the Spanish military intelligence supports the core of Morocco's claims to some extent, suggesting that it is 'highly unlikely' that Moroccan authorities actively promoted the migration movement, although it criticized them for negligence and passivity in Ceuta.
This development marks a significant escalation in the political dispute surrounding events at the Spanish-Moroccan border. For weeks, there has been speculation in Spain regarding whether Rabat tolerated or politically exploited the substantial influx towards Ceuta. Morocco has now turned the debate on its head, demanding answers from the Spanish side. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry posed pointed questions: 'Why does the allegation against Morocco persist despite the absence of any information, facts, or reports substantiating Moroccan authorities' involvement?' Furthermore, they queried why irregular migrants are not being repatriated, given Morocco's official readiness to accept them back, and why unaccompanied minors continue to be separated from their families despite Morocco's requests for their return. 'The answers to these questions do not lie in Morocco, but rather with the relevant Spanish actors,' the ministry stated.
The Moroccan commentary gains additional significance from documents released by the Spanish government shortly before. Among these is an analysis from the military intelligence center of the Spanish armed forces, CIFAS, regarding the Ceuta crisis. The report, dated July 30, characterizes the situation as a 'migration chaos.' However, Spanish military analysts did not conclude that Morocco had deliberately instigated the movement. According to a report published by Europa Press, CIFAS believed it was 'highly probable' that the Moroccan authorities did not actively encourage the wave of migration. This contradicts the more extreme allegations that Rabat intentionally directed migrants towards Spanish territory.
Nonetheless, the report does not fully exonerate Morocco. It indicates that information regarding the behavior of Moroccan security forces has been contradictory. In Melilla, they reportedly participated actively in border security, while in Ceuta, a 'passive stance' prevailed, which facilitated crossings by land and sea. CIFAS attributed this to a possible practical explanation: the events coincided with celebrations of Morocco's Throne Day, during which security forces were reassigned to other cities, reducing their presence around Ceuta. The report anticipated that Morocco would resume its commitment against irregular migration after the celebrations concluded on August 1.
This assessment differentiates between a deliberately orchestrated crisis and a temporary weakening of border controls, which has now become a focal point of the political dispute. Morocco rejects any accusations of state complicity. In contrast, Spain possesses its own intelligence assessment, which, while not recognizing any active control, does criticize the actions of Moroccan security forces in Ceuta. CIFAS also pointed out a factor within Spain: the Spanish Supreme Court had made a ruling on June 29, published on July 8, stating that entering Spanish territory by swimming could not justify immediate rejection at the border. This significantly limited the operational possibilities for Spanish security forces, as indicated in the intelligence analysis.
CIFAS explicitly linked the increase in attempted entries to this legal decision. Therefore, a potential trigger for the migration movement can at least partially be attributed to a changed legal situation on the Spanish side. Information regarding the ruling could have spread rapidly, fostering the expectation that entries into Ceuta would be difficult to reverse immediately. Another political hypothesis regarding Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to Algeria on July 20, amid tense relations between Algeria and Morocco, found no clear confirmation in the Spanish analysis. While some discomfort within the circle of King Mohammed VI cannot be ruled out, the report did not establish a connection between Sánchez's trip and the migration crisis.
Moreover, the report contains another assessment that is less favorable to Morocco's argumentation. CIFAS suggested that Morocco might attempt to use the situation in Ceuta to serve its strategic interests. However, this is not the same as claiming that Rabat instigated the crisis. Instead, Spanish military analysts differentiated between the origin of the events and potential later political utilization. Morocco firmly rejects this suspicion, with the Foreign Ministry stating that the country does not wish to be 'a business model for an electoral campaign' or serve as a 'scapegoat for political reckoning.'
Rabat has particularly criticized certain segments of the Spanish political landscape and media. Some actors are alleged to be instrumentalizing Morocco for domestic political goals. Even 'historical parties' with governmental experience have reportedly fallen into a populist escalation, though the Moroccan statement does not name specific parties. Unusually, the criticism extends beyond political parties and media. Morocco has also expressed dissatisfaction with initiatives from Spanish legislative and judicial institutions, which could deepen mutual distrust. Rabat describes a development where sober analysis is replaced by accusations and simplifications, perceiving this as a 'strategy of fear.'
This language significantly escalates the diplomatic tone, though Morocco does not fundamentally question the strategic partnership with Spain. On the contrary, the statement begins with a detailed commitment to relations with its northern neighbor. Morocco emphasizes the joint declaration from April 7, 2022, in which both governments agreed to a political restart after a prolonged crisis. Since then, the relationship is intended to be based on mutual respect, trust, ongoing dialogue, and a partnership beneficial to both sides. Rabat points out that this rapprochement has yielded tangible results, with Spain becoming Morocco's most important economic partner and Morocco being described as Spain's second-largest trading partner outside the European Union.
Rabat particularly highlights the security cooperation, noting that joint measures have saved lives and dismantled terrorist and criminal networks, with Moroccan security forces even suffering personnel and material losses in the process. Against this backdrop, the government views the Spanish accusations as a burden on a partnership that has deepened politically and economically in recent years. Morocco regards its previous cooperation on migration with Spain as coordinated and efficient, yet insists that the events of July must be thoroughly investigated. Rabat demands clarification of the circumstances, potential influences, and targeted manipulations, although it does not specify the actors attributed to such influence in its statement.
Meanwhile, the Spanish intelligence analysis anticipates further attempts to enter smaller Spanish-controlled islands and rocks off the North African coast, with the Chafarinas Islands highlighted as a potential focus. During the crisis, CIFAS also expected the situation in Ceuta could deteriorate to the point where Spanish forces would need to be activated in the short term. The question of the behavior of Moroccan security forces remains part of the ongoing dispute; however, the now-released intelligence report does not provide a basis for the broader claim that Morocco actively instigated the wave of migration. Consequently, Rabat draws a political demand directed at Spain: the partnership must not become a tool for domestic political disputes. 'Geographical proximity is an unchangeable fact,' the Foreign Ministry states. Political responsibility will determine whether this leads to collaboration or lasting mistrust.
As reported by fokus-afrika.de.
