In a statement on Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez asserted that there is no "solid proof" to indicate that Morocco orchestrated the alarming surge of migrants into Ceuta that occurred on July 30 and 31, which saw over 70,000 individuals cross into the Spanish enclave. This unprecedented influx resulted in tragic fatalities, with many victims drowning while attempting to navigate the perilous waters surrounding the territory. Sanchez's comments came in light of a police report that highlighted shortcomings in the Moroccan security forces' response during this critical time, marking a rare moment of public criticism directed towards Morocco, which has historically claimed sovereignty over Ceuta.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Sanchez emphasized that the Spanish government has yet to receive any conclusive evidence from police, legal, or international bodies to support claims that Morocco planned or executed the migrant rush. He stated, "If this solid proof existed, we would act accordingly," indicating that the government was caught off guard by the scale of the incident. The police report, which Sanchez referred to in his address to parliament, pointed to a Moroccan police presence that was significantly reduced and described a response characterized by "total permissiveness," suggesting that some officers were actively directing migrants towards the sea. This report was corroborated by various sources, including satellite imagery and testimonies from migrants themselves.
Sanchez did not shy away from addressing the inflammatory remarks made by Moroccan officials regarding Ceuta and Melilla, describing them as "unacceptable." In response to these statements, Spain had summoned Morocco's ambassador to express its discontent. The Justice Minister in Morocco, Abdellatif Ouahbi, had previously claimed that Rabat holds "historic" and "geographical" rights over these territories, calling for a resolution that would see them reintegrated into Morocco. Sanchez firmly rebutted this assertion, stating that Ceuta and Melilla would remain under Spanish control "until the end of time." Meanwhile, the conservative opposition has been vocal in questioning the government's handling of the situation, with leaders accusing Sanchez of failing to adequately address Morocco's role in the crisis.
In a broader context, analysts have speculated that Morocco may have leveraged the migrant influx as a form of political pressure against Spain, particularly following Sanchez's visit to Algeria, a nation that has historically been at odds with Morocco over the disputed Western Sahara territory. The situation remains fluid, as Sanchez has called for King Felipe VI to visit Ceuta and Melilla in the near future—an act that could potentially escalate tensions with Morocco, especially given that the last such royal visit in 2007 led to a significant diplomatic crisis.
As the migrant situation stabilizes, with many having returned to Morocco, thousands still inhabit the streets of Ceuta, leading to increased friction with locals who feel neglected. The recent handling of the crisis has prompted widespread protests across Spain, as citizens express solidarity with Ceuta and voice their dissatisfaction with the government's response. Sanchez, however, has reiterated that he does not intend to provoke a diplomatic conflict with Morocco.
As reported by rfi.fr.
