Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Approximately 3,000 Moroccan irregular migrants are still in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta following the mass migration incident in the region in May.
Juan Vivas, head of the local government in the Spanish enclave said that out of 12,000 irregular migrants who entered the enclave between May 17-18, the number of people who remained in Ceuta is estimated at 3,000.
The number includes around 830 minors.
Vivas described the migrant’s situation, stating that “for a large part of them in a situation of absolute precariousness.”
He denounced the situation, describing it as “unbearable for the city.”
Vivas additionally urged the central government to “act as quickly as possible.”
He said the situation is both a “humanitarian emergency” and a question of “the peace and security of citizens.”
Authorities estimate that the number of Moroccan migrants who entered Ceuta in mid-May at more than 11,000.
AFP said that the majority of the migrants were collectively returned home “very quickly”.
The mass irregular migration event from Morocco to the Spanish enclave resulted in further tensions between Spain and Morocco.
Since April, Morocco and Spain experienced a rift after the Sanchez government allowed Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to enter Spanish territories under a fake identity and passport.
The situation angered Morocco, who described the move as against the spirit of ties between both countries.
Morocco also demanded the jailing of Ghali, who faced genocide, rape, and torture charges before a Spanish court dismissed them citing “lack of evidence” and allowed him to leave Spain.
Spanish authorities allowed Ghali, who was hospitalized due to COVID-19, to leave Spain despite Morocco’s warning that such a move could lead to a rupture of bilateral ties.
While Morocco made it clear that the tension between both countries is due to Spain’s decision to host Ghali, Spanish officials attributed the rift to the migration crisis and accused Rabat of using migrants in the crisis.
Several Spanish officials accused Morocco of blackmail. Morocco responded to the accusations, emphasizing its key role in migration management.
The North African country said that it does not need to be graded, citing the number of security operations against irregular migration networks.
Since 2017, Morocco has prevented more than 14,000 irregular migration attempts.
Morocco also dismantled over 5,000 trafficking networks and rescued over 80,500 migrants at sea, according to Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita.
Several members of the European Parliament backed Morocco, emphasizing its importance in irregular migration management while 196 parliamentarians abstained from the vote.
Spain has faced criticism for the mass repatriation of irregular migrants, including minors, without taking the time to assess each individual asylum case.
