Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has insisted there was no “solid proof” that Morocco orchestrated July’s migrant rush into Ceuta, after a police report highlighted multiple failings by Moroccan security forces.
However, Mr Sánchez slammed “unacceptable” Moroccan government comments about Ceuta since the crisis began, in rare public criticism of its neighbour, which claims the north African enclave.
He also risked inflaming delicate relations with Morocco by revealing the government had urged King Felipe VI to visit Ceuta and Spain’s other north African territory of Melilla.
More than 70,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco on 30 and 31 July in an unprecedented surge that left scores dead, most by drowning as they tried to swim around a breakwater.
The leftist government has consistently avoided blaming Morocco, with which it has spent years trying to improve historically complicated relations, notably over the status of Ceuta and Melilla.
However, a Spanish police report seen by AFP flagged a Moroccan police response of “total permissiveness” that facilitated the rush, with some officers directing migrants towards the water.
Police numbers around the border post were “clearly smaller than usual” and officers “made no serious attempt” to stem the surge, said the report, based on satellite images, open-source videos and migrant testimonies.
Addressing parliament to offer explanations about the crisis, Mr Sánchez said no police, legal or international institutions had submitted “solid proof to the government of Spain that Morocco planned or executed the incident”.
“If this solid proof existed, we would act accordingly,” said Mr Sánchez, who added that “this government is not afraid of confronting other foreign powers.”
‘Unacceptable’ comments
Mr Sánchez also criticised “unacceptable” comments about Ceuta and Melilla by two Moroccan government ministers, revealing Spain summoned Morocco’s ambassador on 21 August.
Moroccan media quoted Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi in August as saying Morocco had “historic” and “geographical” rights over Ceuta and Melilla, calling for a “final solution” that would allow the territories to “return to the fold of the motherland”.
Ceuta and Melilla, which share the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, will remain Spanish “until the end of time”, Mr Sánchez told parliament.
Although most of the migrants who streamed into Ceuta have since returned to Morocco, thousands continue to roam the small city’s streets and sleep rough, increasing tensions among locals who feel abandoned.
Tens of thousands of people protested in Ceuta and across Spain over the leftist government’s handling of the crisis, with the conservative and far-right opposition using the rallies to attack Mr Sánchez.
The opposition has consistently cast doubt on Morocco’s role and accused Mr Sánchez of being subservient to Morocco.
Some analysts have suggested Morocco used the migrant rush to exert political pressure on Spain after Mr Sánchez visited its historic enemy Algeria in July.
The disputed Western Sahara is a source of tension, with Morocco largely controlling the former Spanish colony that is claimed by the Algerian-backed pro-independence Polisario Front.
Yet Spain reversed its long-standing policy of neutrality in 2022, backing Morocco’s autonomy plan for the territory under Moroccan sovereignty, infuriating Algeria.
Mr Sánchez also revealed the government had urged King Felipe to travel to Ceuta and Melilla “in the coming weeks”, in rare public comments about royal matters.
Such a visit would likely spark tensions with Morocco, after the last trip by a Spanish monarch to the cities in 2007 sparked a diplomatic crisis.
“Ceuta needs to be supported by the state more than ever,” Mr Sánchez said in justification of the plea.