In a significant development concerning the ongoing migrant crisis at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, the Spanish government has announced that more than 5,300 migrants who had been stranded in the region following a massive influx in late July have voluntarily returned to Morocco within the last month. This announcement came from Angel Victor Torres, the minister responsible for overseeing the government's response to the crisis, who shared the news via a social media video on Sunday. According to Torres, a total of 5,321 individuals made the decision to return to Morocco since August 10, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the Spanish authorities in managing the aftermath of the unprecedented arrival of over 70,000 migrants on July 30 and 31.
The political implications of this crisis are weighing heavily on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist government, particularly as general elections loom on the horizon. Critics have raised concerns over the speed at which migrants are being repatriated from the 18.5 square kilometer territory, which is home to approximately 80,000 residents. The rapid response has become a contentious issue, further complicating the government’s standing and adding pressure in the weeks leading up to the elections.
While the majority of the migrants who crossed into Ceuta during the late July surge returned to Morocco shortly after their arrival, several thousand have remained, resulting in a deteriorating situation characterized by episodes of violence and near-daily protests from local residents demanding a return to normalcy. The government has been tasked with identifying the migrants who have stayed for several weeks to assess their eligibility for asylum, while unaccompanied minors cannot be expelled without due process.
In a recent statement, Torres noted that ninety individuals had withdrawn their applications for international protection, and nearly 1,000 more are currently undergoing the registration process to finalize their return. However, the exact number of migrants still present in Ceuta remains unclear, leading to ongoing disputes between the leftist government and the conservative-led city administration. On Friday, Juan Jesus Vivas, the leader of Ceuta from the main opposition party, the Popular Party (PP), claimed the number of remaining migrants has surged to 13,000, a figure significantly higher than the government’s estimates.
Local residents, frustrated with what they perceive as abandonment by the government, have been vocal in their discontent, as migrants continue to camp on beaches and sleep on the streets. In response to the growing crisis, the Ministry of Migration announced the opening of 864 new places in temporary housing centers, bringing the total capacity to approximately 4,300, with plans to expand to 6,000 in the near future.
As reported by al24news.dz.
