Morocco: Over 5300 migrants left Ceuta from August

The Spanish government announced that 5,321 migrants have voluntarily returned to Morocco since August 10th after remaining in Ceuta following the July border rush, according to Arab News and agencies on September 13th. 

According to Migration Minister Angel Victor Torres, 90 migrants had withdrawn their asylum requests, while almost 1,000 others were being registered for return procedures.

Ceuta Mayor-President Juan Jesus Vivas estimated that 13,000 migrants remained, although Spain’s government gave a significantly lower figure, amid local protests.

The government also announced 864 additional shelter places, bringing capacity to around 4,300, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced growing political pressure over the crisis.

On September 10th, it was reported that the crisis had generated political finger-pointing and fearmongering, as disagreements emerged over the scale of the problem and the government’s response.

This includes the mounting pressure faced by the police, military personnel and residents as sporadic violence persists. 

Additionally, the debate has included claims about the causes of the mass arrival.

On September 2nd, the EU rejected suggestions that the Ceuta crisis had been caused by foreign disinformation, adding another dimension to the political arguments surrounding the border rush.

There were also speculations that Morocco viewed the renewed Spain-Algeria relationship, evidenced by Sanchez’ July 20th visit to Algeria, as a provocation and that it led to the influx of 50,000 to 70,000 migrants in the following weeks.

Spain had already escalated its response before the latest figures on migrant returns were announced.

On August 28th, the government declared the Ceuta situation a national security concern, highlighting how seriously Madrid was treating the consequences of the border rush. 

The humanitarian consequences have also become increasingly visible. On August 24th, authorities in Ceuta had buried migrants who died during the border rush, underscoring the dangers faced by people attempting to reach Spanish territory.

Additionally, the accounts of sexual assault cases against underage Moroccan girls have added to concerns over overcrowded facilities and inadequate protection. 

Moroccan authorities have responded with intensified enforcement to manage mass migration.

This included raids around Fnideq and Belyounech, in which 800 people were detained in May and 148 in August as part of efforts to prevent migrants from reaching Europe.

Arab News, Maghrebi.org