Mass sea crossings to Spain’s Ceuta enclave prompt EU anti-migrant panic

by · EUobserver

Moroccan authorities could have been backing the massive arrival of migrants since Spain drafted a law to grant citizenship to roughly 70,000 Sahrawis – though Spain has affirmed Rabat’s cooperation in Ceuta (Source: Borja Puig de la Bellacasa for la Moncloa)

EU and the World

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By Gaia Neiman,
Brussels
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Tens of thousands of migrants breached border barriers or swam into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta on Thursday (30 July), prompting Madrid to send troops to its North African enclave to bolster security and neighbouring EU countries, such as France, to increase border checks.

Arrivals from Morocco, just over the border, were estimated to be at least 40,000 in a few days, but a continuous flow has made it hard to keep a consistent count. The immigrants are almost entirely of Moroccan nationality, most of whom are young people.

At least 34 died while trying to reach Ceuta according to local authorities, with deaths attributed to drownings and a stampede near the breakwater fence.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday talked about “an attack and a violation” on Spain’s territorial integrity and said that procedures to return irregular migrants have started.

“The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable … Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow,” also said EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Border security forces are unable to keep up: “they’re outnumbered,” said a spokesperson for No Name Kitchen (NNK), one of the few humanitarian groups to have established themselves in the small autonomous city since its first surge of migrant arrivals in 2021.

“There’s many more migrants arriving than there are military personnel at the moment,” she told EUobserver. “They keep coming in, it’s not slowing down.”

"In response to the situation observed in the Ceuta enclave, I gave instructions as of last night to immediately strengthen the controls at the Spanish border. Furthermore, I am activating the Rapid Intervention Border Force for in-depth checks," said French interior minister Laurent Nuñez.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni called for “the suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain,” joining a chorus of right-wing politicians speaking out against the surge.

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson also called on the Spanish government "to regain control of the situation and fulfil its commitments within Schengen cooperation". If the crisis in Ceuta should affect Sweden's security, Kristersson said Stockholm was ready to take measures.

Far-right French leader Marine Le Pen chimed in, vowing: “In 2027, we will stop this madness and reserve the free movement in Schengen to EU nationals.”

The European Commission said it is in contact with Spanish and Moroccan authorities.

Brussels has described Morocco as "a key and trusted partner of the EU," noting that cooperation on migration and anti-smuggling has intensified. The EU is now working to upgrade the relationship into a comprehensive and strategic partnership.

Madrid's Supreme Court ruling

The Spanish authorities have since deployed the military to the coastal city of 83,500 residents. The leader of Ceuta's government, Juan Jesús Vivas, told journalists that the situation was one of "absolute chaos," with reception facilities overwhelmed, and called for a national state of emergency to be declared.

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Moroccan authorities could have been backing the massive arrival of migrants since Spain drafted a law to grant citizenship to roughly 70,000 Sahrawis - though Spain has affirmed Rabat's cooperation in Ceuta (Source: Borja Puig de la Bellacasa for la Moncloa)

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Gaia Neiman is a migration and politics reporter at EUobserver. She has previously written for Reuters, The Guardian, The Telegraph, among others.

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