On Thursday, Morocco firmly stated that there are "no facts" linking its government to the recent surge of migrants entering Spain's North African exclave of Ceuta. This influx, which occurred on July 30 and 31, saw over 70,000 migrants cross the border from Morocco in a chaotic and unprecedented wave that resulted in numerous fatalities and ignited intense debates within the European Union regarding migration policies.
The Moroccan foreign ministry emphasized that there is a lack of evidence or credible reports to support any claims of involvement by Moroccan officials. Furthermore, the ministry expressed its refusal to be made a "scapegoat for political score-settling" in Spain, marking its first official response to allegations stemming from a Spanish police report that accused Morocco's security forces of being "totally permissive" during the mass crossing.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has refrained from placing blame on Morocco, consistently asserting that there is no "solid proof" to suggest that Morocco orchestrated the migrant rush. This statement aligns with the declassification of intelligence reports by Spain on Wednesday, which had previously warned of possible mass entries by migrants into Ceuta just before the event transpired. A military intelligence document from July 30 suggested that while Morocco may not have actively encouraged the influx, it had acted in a negligent and passive manner, allowing the situation to escalate.
Sanchez acknowledged the limitations of the available information at the time, stating that it was impossible to predict the migration crisis that unfolded. In the midst of these developments, Morocco's foreign ministry questioned Spain's management of the crisis, asking why illegal migrants were not being returned despite Morocco's agreement to accept them back, and why unaccompanied minors were being separated from their families despite urgent requests for their return.
Morocco described the situation as "regrettable" and called for a comprehensive examination of the events to prevent future occurrences. The ministry reiterated the importance of maintaining strong relations with Madrid, highlighting that Morocco values its partnership with Spain in terms of economic cooperation and security. Despite the turmoil, it noted that Spain remains Morocco's primary economic partner.
While many migrants have returned to Morocco following the crisis, a significant number continue to live in difficult conditions within Ceuta, exacerbating tensions in the small city and creating a political dilemma for the Spanish government. In response to the crisis, the EU announced a provision of €115 million ($130 million) in emergency aid to Spain aimed at enhancing border security and facilitating the return of migrants.
As reported by france24.com.
