Join on WhatsApp 
Join on Telegram Rabat – Morocco’s government has summoned its ambassador Karima Benyaich from Spain for consultations.
Spanish news agency EFE reported the news on Twitter, without providing detailed information.
The decision comes amid frustration that followed the surge of over 6,000 people from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta over the last few days.
The number includes over 1,400 minors.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando-Grande Marlaska announced that his country repatriated over 2,700 irregular migrants who arrived in Ceuta back to Morocco.
Earlier today, reports said that Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also summoned Morocco’s ambassador in Madrid, Karima Benyaich for talks regarding the situation.
The migratory challenges in Ceuta come amid a rift between Morocco and Spain.
Spain sparked controversy for hosting Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for medical care after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Ghali’s hospitalization in Spain was “secret” until Morocco’s intelligence detected his presence in Spanish territories. It was not until the news went viral online that Spain decided to publicly acknowledge that it hosted the leader of the Polisario Front for “humanitarian reasons.”
Ghali entered Spain with a fake identity and passport. The separatist leader is wanted in Spain for several crimes, including torture, forced disappearance, and kidnapping among other charges.
Spain and Algeria arranged for Ghali’s hospitalization at a high-level without notifying Morocco.
Morocco responded to Spain’s “unexplainable” acts to host Ghali, calling for more clarification and satisfactory answers.
Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Spanish ambassador in Rabat to clarify Spain’s decision in April.
The foreign ministry also deplored Spain’s attitude in welcoming Ghali, a decision that MEPs also condemned.
Morocco recalled that Ghali is the subject to the prosecution of serious war crimes and violations of human rights.
The North African country emphasized that Spain’s decision is against “the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness and which concerns a fundamental issue for the Moroccan people and its vital forces.”
