Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Interior announced today the arrest of several people suspected of inciting attempts to carry out a mass illegal crossing to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on August 15.
A statement from the ministry’s spokesperson confirmed that authorities have monitored the circulation of anonymous posts and messages on certain social media platforms calling for attempts to carry out mass illegal crossings toward the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
“Such actions pose serious risks to people’s safety and seek to exploit migration issues for incitement activities punishable by law,” the ministry’s spokesperson said.
The statement comes as messages and posts inciting a new mass crossing to the enclaves have been sweeping social media, causing frustration both in Morocco and Spain.
Spanish authorities also said they are monitoring the accounts inciting the mass entry into Ceuta, while reports indicate that these accounts could be based beyond Morocco.
One particular report has highlighted how social media campaigns, including numbers with Algerian country phone codes, were involved in the July 30 crossings.
On July 30, Morocco and Spain’s borders witnessed one of the largest irregular migrations to the enclave of Ceuta.
Spanish reports estimate the number of those who entered at between 70,000 and 80,000. Morocco’s Interior Ministry’s assessment, however, indicated that those who headed to the enclave are estimated at 40,000.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to continue to working to combat irregular migration and human trafficking.
Morocco, however, has been the target of far-right politicians and some Spanish officials, who accused Rabat of triggering or facilitating the mass entry to pressure Spain.
Morocco, however, responded, emphasizing that its cooperation is recognized internationally, including by Spain, which frequently stressed that Rabat has been committed from the beginning to respond to the crisis.
Morocco reiterated its commitment to tackling the issue, while emphasizing once again that it is a shared responsibility and urging Spain to assume its part of the responsibility.
The spokesperson said that Morocco is also clearly monitoring the situation amid calls inciting a new mass entry, stating that it has taken all necessary measures to prevent any attempt at illegal crossings and intercept anyone seeking to participate in such attempts.
Morocco said those arrested for engaging in incitement activities have been subjected to judicial investigation procedures. The spokesperson stressed that security authorities’ readiness is not linked to any specific date but rather forms part of a continuous vigilance system.
“This system is constantly reinforced and adapted according to developments in the situation and the nature of the risks identified,” the spokesperson said.
