Ceuta Migration Crisis: Madrid and Rabat Seek Collaboration to Stem Entry

This morning, hundreds of people of North African origin crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast often affected by migrant crises, swimming and using the El Tarajal breakwater.

A large crowd is waiting on the other side of the border to enter the autonomous city in the same way. Over 2,000 migrants have already crossed the border in the past week.

The Civil Guard is deployed at the southern border to stem the flow of arrivals. The government delegation stated that the Moroccan Gendarmerie is cooperating. However, sources within the Civil Guard in the city say the assistance is superficial and insufficient to contain the pressure.

Spanish Interior Minister visits the enclave tomorrow

Shortly after the migrant crisis began, the Spanish and Moroccan governments agreed to implement measures to return “as quickly as possible” “all” migrants who entered Ceuta illegally in recent days, and especially today.

Interior Ministry sources said today that the two countries have agreed to “strengthen coordination and efforts to address these flows and are committed to reviewing and implementing measures for the rapid repatriation of all persons who have entered the autonomous city illegally.”

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has remained in constant contact with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, and will be in Ceuta tomorrow to address the migration crisis.