Spanish Lawmaker Calls for Moroccan Ambassador's Recall
On July 30, 2026, Spanish MP Alberto Ibáñez urged his government to summon the Moroccan ambassador in Madrid, following the influx of hundreds of Moroccan migrants into Ceuta. Ibáñez accused the Moroccan authorities of attempting to blackmail Spain by allowing the surge of illegal immigrants, which he claims was aimed at undermining the recently improved diplomatic relations between Spain and Algeria.
According to Ibáñez, the Moroccan response to the strengthening of diplomatic and trade ties with Algeria has been to exert pressure through migration flows. He stated on social media, "Morocco's reaction to the improvement of diplomatic relations with Algeria has been blackmail, manifesting in the arrival of hundreds of people seeking a better life in Ceuta."
Ibáñez has long been vocal about the need for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to correct the country’s course regarding its relations with Algeria, emphasizing the historical consistency needed around the Western Sahara issue and the strategic necessity for Spanish industries, particularly concerning the Medgaz gas pipeline and rare earth elements.
Reports from the Spanish Civil Guard confirmed that hundreds of Moroccan migrants managed to enter Ceuta both on foot and by swimming on that Thursday. An official spokesperson noted that the migrants were arriving in significant numbers via the Tarajal border crossing, although official estimates of their numbers were not provided.
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
