Morocco has firmly rejected allegations from Spain accusing it of facilitating the mass transit of migrants to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July, insisting that there is no evidence to support such claims. In a statement released on Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, the Moroccan government expressed its regret and objection to the accusations, highlighting that certain Spanish political and media circles continue to exploit Morocco to serve their internal agendas.
This response comes in light of assertions from Spanish judicial authorities who indicated the existence of an undeniable "guidance and facilitation operation" from Morocco. The Ministry's statement conveyed disappointment that established political parties, which are expected to be experienced in government management, have fallen into a quagmire where unreasonable and populist rhetoric overshadows rational discourse. Furthermore, Morocco's foreign office expressed sorrow over respected legislative and judicial institutions adopting misguided initiatives that only serve to fuel ongoing disputes.
During several days in July, over 70,000 individuals crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, primarily comprising young migrants attempting to immigrate irregularly after receiving calls to action via social media. This surge prompted escalating criticism in Spain directed at both the Moroccan government and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. While most of these migrants have since returned, NGOs reported that more than 100 individuals lost their lives during the attempt.
Following these events, opposition parties in Spain have scrutinized Sánchez's government's relationship with Morocco, accusing it of facilitating or managing the influx of migrants. Conversely, the Sánchez administration has denied possessing "conclusive evidence" implicating Morocco in the facilitation of migrant crossings to Ceuta. The Spanish Prime Minister has reiterated accusations against Israel, Russia, and far-right groups for allegedly orchestrating disinformation campaigns related to the mass influx of irregular migrants.
Meanwhile, Spain's National Court, a supreme judicial body based in Madrid, has stated that these incidents could involve several legal infractions, particularly crimes that threaten the integrity or independence of the Spanish state. Documents published by the Spanish government on Wednesday revealed that Spanish intelligence and security agencies had warned their Moroccan and Madrid counterparts of plans to storm Ceuta just one day before the migrants crossed into the Spanish territory.
In its statement, Morocco emphasized its refusal to be used as a commercial pawn in the lead-up to elections, asserting that it will not accept being scapegoated for political vendettas. National elections in Spain are scheduled to take place by mid-2027.
The influx of thousands of migrants from Morocco, both by land and sea, towards the Spanish-controlled city of Ceuta has led the Spanish Ministry of the Interior to announce the repatriation of over 48,000 migrants back to Morocco. The Independent reported that the entry of approximately 60,000 individuals into Ceuta within just two days placed unprecedented pressure on Spanish authorities, calling for a coordinated and collective response from Spain, the European Union, and neighboring countries.
This wave of migration has not only constituted a transient border event but has also imposed a renewed humanitarian and political crisis on both sides of the Mediterranean, reigniting alarm bells within the European Union regarding the challenges of irregular migration and border control. Moroccan authorities have managed to thwart a new attempt at irregular migration towards Ceuta by detaining dozens of migrants, the majority of whom are from sub-Saharan African countries.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
