The Spanish Ministry of the Interior recently announced a significant agreement between Spain and Morocco aimed at enhancing coordination and efforts to review and implement measures for the prompt repatriation of individuals who have entered the Spanish city of Ceuta illegally. The ministry underscored the "ideal cooperation" between the two nations across various sectors, particularly in the realm of immigration.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that human trafficking networks are exploiting a judicial ruling to encourage the flow of undocumented migrants, predominantly young individuals. This statement comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court, which declared that immediate repatriation of migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to swim to Ceuta or Melilla is not permissible.
In recent days, there has been a notable increase in the number of irregular migrants, mainly from Morocco, arriving in Ceuta via swimming from nearby Moroccan shores. This surge has placed significant pressure on reception centers and security forces within the city. Spanish media outlets, including the well-known newspaper "El País," reported that between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants entered Ceuta in just about ten days, with authorities confirming fatalities during crossing attempts by sea.
Local Spanish media, such as "El País" and "El Mundo," have also reported that the bodies of nine individuals who perished while trying to reach Ceuta have been recovered in recent days. It is important to note that Ceuta is governed by Spain, while Morocco continues to assert its claim to sovereignty over the territory.
The city is surrounded by border walls, prompting some migrants to attempt to access it by swimming through the waters adjacent to the maritime fence. The distance from the beach of the Moroccan city of Fnideq to certain maritime points near Ceuta ranges from two to three kilometers.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Moroccan authorities regarding the agreement, the mechanisms for repatriating migrants, or the recent drownings. Migrants from various African countries, including Morocco, are increasingly seeking to reach Europe through irregular means, driven by challenging economic and social conditions.
In May 2024, the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council reported that approximately 1.5 million young individuals, aged between 15 and 24, are neither employed nor engaged in education or training. Additionally, Morocco announced in February that the unemployment rate is projected to decline to 13% by 2025, down from 13.3% in 2024, with the economy creating around 193,000 job opportunities, according to the High Commission for Planning.
As reported by trtarabi.com.
