Morocco's Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that there is no evidence linking Rabat to the mass migrant crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in July, rejecting accusations from Spanish opposition parties.
More than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta from nearby Morocco on July 30 and 31 in an unprecedented surge that left scores dead and sparked infighting within the European Union over migration policy. While most have since returned, local officials and civil organizations report that over 100 people died. Thousands, including unaccompanied minors, remain in the enclave, living in makeshift camps or on the streets and beaches, fueling near-daily protests by residents angry at the Spanish government's handling of the crisis.
Spain's opposition parties have targeted the government's relationship with Morocco, accusing Rabat of facilitating or orchestrating the crossing. In response, the Moroccan ministry questioned: "Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts, or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?" It also asked why illegal migrants are not being returned despite Morocco's official commitment to readmit them, and why unaccompanied minors are being kept from their families when Morocco has urgently requested their return.
The ministry asserted that Morocco refuses to be used as a "pre-election political pawn" or made a "scapegoat in political score-settling." Spain is scheduled to hold national elections by mid-2027. The ministry highlighted the close security, migration, and economic ties between Rabat and Madrid since Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez backed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022.
On Wednesday, Spain declassified intelligence reports that had warned of potential "mass entries" by migrants into Ceuta just before the incident. A declassified military intelligence document dated July 30 stated it is "highly likely that the Moroccan authorities are not actively encouraging the migratory wave, but have so far acted in a negligent and passive manner." Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta or Melilla, the other autonomous Spanish enclave bordering Morocco.
Source: www.aljazeera.com