Morocco denies role in mass crossing into Spain’s Ceuta enclave

Rabat, Morocco. Morocco’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that no evidence established Rabat’s involvement in the mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July, rejecting accusations that it was being used in Spain’s domestic political battles.

More than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, prompting criticism in Spain of both Rabat and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Migration crisis

While most of those who crossed have since returned, more than 100 people died, according to non-governmental organisations.

Local authorities said thousands of people, including unaccompanied minors, remained in the enclave, living in makeshift camps or on streets and beaches. Their presence has fuelled near-daily protests by residents who criticise the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis.

Moroccan response

Spain’s opposition parties have targeted Sanchez’s government over its relationship with Morocco and accused Rabat of facilitating or orchestrating the crossing.

“Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts, or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also questioned why illegal migrants were not being returned despite Morocco’s official commitment to readmit them, and why unaccompanied minors were being kept from their families despite Morocco’s urgent request for their return.

Security cooperation

Reports released by the Spanish government on Wednesday showed that Spanish intelligence and security agencies had warned both Madrid and Moroccan counterparts about the possibility of a mass crossing.

“Morocco refuses to be used as a pre-election political pawn, nor does it accept being made the scapegoat in political score-settling,” the ministry said. National elections are due in Spain by mid-2027.

The ministry highlighted close security, migration and economic cooperation between Rabat and Madrid since Sanchez backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022.

Morocco does not recognise Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and the other enclave of Melilla.