Morocco blames Spain court ruling for Ceuta migrant crossings

Morocco has blamed a recent Spanish court ruling for last week's mass migrant crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, arguing that the decision weakened a key deterrent against irregular migration and was quickly exploited by people-smuggling networks.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the crisis unfolded, a senior Moroccan government official said Spanish authorities should have anticipated the consequences of the ruling, which limited the immediate return of migrants arriving in Spain's North African enclaves by sea.

"The message became just cross and you will be protected," the official said.

"Europe asks us to stop migrants from crossing, but on the other side they roll the red carpet when they cross!"

Thousands crossed into Ceuta

Thousands of people crossed into Ceuta last Thursday in one of the largest migration surges seen at the border in recent years.

Spanish authorities say around 69,500 migrants have since been returned to Morocco, while Moroccan officials estimate that around 40,000 people entered the enclave during the crossings.

The humanitarian cost has also been severe. According to official figures, 72 people died on the Spanish side of the border and 11 on the Moroccan side.

Many of those attempting the crossing were believed to be seeking safety or better economic opportunities, risking dangerous sea routes and heavily guarded border fences.

Spain and EU criticise Morocco

Spanish officials have rejected Morocco's explanation.

Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas, accused Rabat of having "encouraged and permitted" the influx, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned against using irregular migration as a means of exerting political pressure on an EU member state.

The Moroccan official denied that Rabat had relaxed border controls before the crossings, insisting security deployments remained unchanged.

Morocco says its migration strategy relies on preventing departures by deploying around 24,000 security personnel along its northern coastline, alongside the rapid return of migrants who enter Spanish territory illegally.

According to Moroccan figures, authorities stopped 79,000 attempted crossings in 2024 and 74,000 last year.

The official described cooperation between Morocco and Spain on migration as "exemplary" until the July court ruling disrupted long-standing arrangements.

"It is up to Spain to find a solution to restore deterrence," he said.

He added that while Morocco remained committed to working with European partners on migration, it "will never be complicit in a purely security-based approach to migration".

Read more:

• Ceuta: History, migration and border tensions
• Spain erects sea barrier after 72 die in Ceuta migrant surge from Morocco
• Spain reverses mass migrant surge after 50,000 cross into Ceuta

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