According to the Spanish newspaper El País, the Spanish government assesses that Morocco directly assisted the large wave of migrants that arrived in Ceuta on Thursday, claiming that Moroccan border guards 'disappeared' for hours. The report cites two possible motivations: Spain's recent rapprochement with Algeria, or the regulation of Gibraltar's status and its inclusion in the Schengen area, which Morocco views as similar to the status of Ceuta and Melilla. Despite the assessment, the report notes that Spain-Morocco relations are currently at an economic peak, and the two countries are set to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal.
The Spanish government has assessed that Morocco directly facilitated the mass migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, deliberately removing border enforcement for hours, according to a report published Friday by El País. The assessment marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic dimension of the crisis.
The report, citing unnamed Spanish government sources, states that Moroccan border guards 'disappeared' from their posts for hours, enabling the large-scale crossing. The assessment was delivered to the Spanish government's crisis management team, according to the newspaper. Two possible motivations are cited: Spain's recent diplomatic rapprochement with Algeria, and the regulation of Gibraltar's status and its inclusion in the Schengen area, which Morocco views as analogous to the status of Ceuta and Melilla.
The accusation comes as the crisis in Ceuta continues to unfold. As The Zioneer reported earlier Friday, Spain's Interior Ministry estimated that 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta in 24 hours, and local authorities are struggling to manage the influx. A subsequent court ruling blocked immediate returns of migrants who reached Spanish territory by sea, further complicating Madrid's response. The local governor has warned of 'chaos' as the situation deteriorates.
Despite the friction, the El País report notes that Spain-Morocco relations are currently at a historic economic high, and the two countries are scheduled to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal. The disagreement over the final match stadium is cited as a remaining point of tension.
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