Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has told parliament that there is no evidence “whatsoever” that Morocco planned or helped organize a mass border crossing into Ceuta, Spain’s north African territory.
His statement on Thursday came after a police report, ordered by a judge and widely cited in the media, claimed that Moroccan border forces had actively helped around 70,000 people cross the border in late July.
“I can assure you that no institution – not the diplomatic service, nor the European Commission, nor any international body – has provided the Spanish government with any solid evidence that Morocco planned or carried out the incident. None whatsoever,” Sánchez told parliament.
Speaking the morning after about 50,000 people marched in Madrid to protest his handling of the Ceuta crisis, the socialist prime minister also denied that the government had received any warning about the mass breach. He said no reports to authorities had anticipated “the scale or probability of what eventually happened.”
Sánchez has repeatedly defended Morocco during the crisis, highlighting Rabat’s cooperation in returning most of the migrants in the days after the surge.
But on Thursday, he said Spain had summoned Morocco’s ambassador on 21 August because of “unacceptable statements” made by two ministers about Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish north African territory. Last month, Morocco’s justice minister, Abdellatif Ouahbi, publicly repeated Rabat’s claims of sovereignty over the cities.
Sánchez said he had “for now” ruled out Moroccan government involvement but admitted that Moroccan forces had allowed crossings to happen during a key 10-hour period on 30 July.
Many of those who crossed said in interviews that they had been actively encouraged to do so. Moroccan officials have denied enabling the crossing.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the conservative People’s party, called on Sánchez to resign for his “incompetence and complicity.”
In response to Sánchez summoning the Moroccan ambassador to discuss the crisis, Santiago Abascal, the leader of the far-right Vox party, said: “Morocco doesn’t need an ambassador in Spain – you are its ambassador.”
As many as 141 people are believed to have died trying to enter Ceuta at the end of July. The influx triggered a political crisis, a humanitarian emergency, and reignited tensions within the EU over immigration.
On Thursday, Sánchez appealed for European solidarity over the crisis. He did not name any countries directly, but in a pointed remark apparently aimed at Italy and Denmark – the two countries that had led public criticism of Spain – he said the principle of solidarity should apply to Ceuta just as much as it applies to Greenland and Lampedusa.
Although 90% of the people had returned to Morocco within 24 hours, several thousand, including at least 500 minors, are thought to remain, either living on the streets or in makeshift shelters.
Amid calls from Vox to send them back to Morocco, Sánchez reminded parliament that under Spanish, European, and international law, migrants had the right to be treated as individuals. “You can’t just grab someone by the arm and drag them across the frontier as though they were a sack of dirt,” he told MPs.
Referring to the hundreds of destitute minors, Aina Vidal of the left-wing group Sumar said: “They’re children, not invaders, not soldiers. They didn’t come carrying bombs, they arrived wearing water wings, in tears.”They risked their lives to reach Spain.
Read more
It seems likely that the government will invest in facilities in Ceuta to house the remaining migrants, rather than face the political fallout in Spain and across Europe that would come from moving them to the mainland.
There are also signs that some migrants have already started returning to Morocco, driven by hunger and hostility from many locals.
However, as Sánchez told parliament, Ceuta’s per capita income is eight times that of Morocco, and “even if we build a wall 100 metres high, there will still be people willing to throw themselves into the sea to get across.”
“We will not stop working until Ceuta comes out of this difficult situation stronger, more prosperous, and more integrated with the rest of Spain and the EU,” he added.
Additional reporting by Jakub Krupa
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the statement from Spains PM regarding the Ceuta border breach
General Background Questions
1 What exactly happened in Ceuta
In midMay 2021 thousands of people crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco Many swam around the breakwaters or climbed the border fence It was a sudden and massive surge that overwhelmed Spanish authorities
2 Where is Ceuta and why is it a sensitive spot
Ceuta is a small Spanish city located on the northern coast of Africa directly bordering Morocco It represents the European Unions only land border with Africa Because of this it is a major flashpoint for migration and diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco
3 What did the Spanish PM actually say
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that there is no evidence whatsoever that the Moroccan government orchestrated or deliberately planned the mass crossing He implied that the incident was a result of a breakdown in border control and a diplomatic crisis rather than a coordinated state action
4 Why would people think Morocco was behind it
Morocco has previously used migration as a political tool to pressure Spain Just days before the breach Spain had allowed the leader of the Polisario Front to be treated in a Spanish hospital Many observers believed Morocco loosened border controls as retaliation for that diplomatic snub
5 If the PM says theres no evidence does that mean Morocco is innocent
Not necessarily The PMs statement is a political one He is saying that based on intelligence and current information there is no proof of a direct order from Moroccan authorities However critics argue that lack of evidence doesnt equal didnt happen and that Moroccos deliberate inaction was just as effective as a direct order
Questions about the PMs Statement Politics
6 Why is the Spanish PM saying this if it looks bad for Spain
Sánchez is likely trying to deescalate a severe diplomatic crisis Spain relies on Morocco for counterterrorism intelligence and border control By publicly accepting Moroccos denial he is trying to reset the relationship and get Morocco to retighten border security rather than engaging in a public blame game that
