Thousands of residents of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the government’s handling of a migration crisis that followed a deadly border surge in July.
The demonstrations coincided with Ceuta Day, with protesters waving Spanish flags, blowing whistles and chanting, “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.”
The protests came nearly five weeks after at least 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into the enclave. More than 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, are still staying in makeshift camps or scattered across streets and beaches, according to Ceuta authorities.
The continued presence of migrants has fuelled near-daily protests, with residents calling on the government to return those without the right to remain to their countries of origin or relocate them to other parts of Spain.
“The response has been inadequate, late and, to top it all, has involved a complete dereliction of duty,” said David Hernandez, a 45-year-old teacher.
Recent tensions have included sporadic attacks on a makeshift migrant camp at El Trampolin beach, while Moroccan nationals have been arrested after stones and bottles were thrown at army patrols.
Similar demonstrations took place in cities including Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao.
The protests were backed by the FEMP federation of municipalities, which is dominated by Spain’s opposition conservative People’s Party (PP).
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s left-wing government has rejected the initiative, accusing the opposition of using the crisis for political gain.
“This is not about defending Ceuta and the Ceutans, it is about attacking the government,” Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres told Spanish broadcaster RNE.
Madrid has increased capacity at temporary accommodation centres to more than 3,400 places, up from around 500, and deployed more than 1,600 police officers.
But local officials and charities say the measures are still not enough to deal with the situation.
“The central government needs to provide funds and the local government needs to provide space,” said Juan Miguel Morales, director of the Sur Acoge charity. “The response has lacked agility: that much is clear.”
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, acc...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citi...
The 83rd Venice Film Festival has opened on the Lido, bringing Hollywood stars and leading filmmakers together for a programme dominated by war, po...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment