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Why are thousands of Moroccans flocking to Ceuta and why has this autonomous Spanish city been a disputed territory for centuries?

2026-08-01 19:29:54Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Why are thousands of Moroccans flocking to Ceuta and why has this autonomous
Ceuta

The largest migration crisis in the history of the Spanish enclave has tested the authorities' capacities, while the causes that led to the massive influx of immigrants from Morocco remain unclear.

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta, in northern Africa, is facing the worst migration crisis in its history, after tens of thousands of migrants have entered irregularly from Morocco, causing a humanitarian and security emergency.

According to Spanish authorities, at least 34 people lost their lives while trying to cross the border, while the toll later rose to 57 victims.

According to Spanish authorities, almost all of the over 50,000 migrants who entered Spanish territory illegally have voluntarily returned to Morocco.

The Spanish newspaper "El País" reports that due to the lack of prospects for continuing the journey to other countries and the lack of basic conditions in Ceuta, many of the migrants became disappointed and returned.

The President of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, described the situation as "an absolute humanitarian and social emergency", calling for the declaration of a state of national emergency.

A territory disputed for centuries

Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish city with an area of ​​about 20 square kilometers on the northern coast of Africa and, together with Melilla, constitutes the European Union's only land border with the African continent.

Disputes between the two countries have previously caused diplomatic tensions. In 2021, during the Western Sahara crisis, Morocco eased border controls, allowing nearly 8,000 people to enter Ceuta in just two days.

Relations were normalized only after Spain supported the Moroccan plan for autonomy for Western Sahara in 2022.

Why are thousands of Moroccans flocking to Ceuta and why has this autonomous

The history of Ceuta and Melilla

Ceuta has an area of ​​about 18.5 km² and over 83 thousand inhabitants, while Melilla covers 12.3 km² and has about 87 thousand inhabitants. Both cities are surrounded by high security fences with barbed wire, cameras and surveillance systems. Entry into these enclaves means entry into the Schengen territory, which makes them an important destination for migrants intending to continue to mainland Spain and other European countries.

Melilla was conquered by Spain in 1497, while Ceuta came under Spanish sovereignty in 1668. Even after Morocco's independence in 1956, both cities remained under Spanish administration. Morocco does not recognize this sovereignty and considers them colonial territories, keeping open a dispute that has caused diplomatic tensions between Rabat and Madrid for decades.

Despite their status as part of Spain and the European Union, Ceuta and Melilla are economically closely linked to Morocco, with thousands of Moroccan citizens crossing the border every day for work and trade. However, recurring migration crises continue to place these two enclaves at the center of the debate over border security and migration policy in Europe.

Why are thousands of Moroccans flocking to Ceuta and why has this autonomous

What caused the last wave?

Spanish authorities say there is still no full explanation for the massive influx of migrants.

The Interior Ministry argues that human trafficking networks have exploited a ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court on June 29, which prohibits the immediate return of migrants who arrive in Ceuta and Melilla by sea without following legal procedures.

According to public broadcaster RTVE, this decision was widely shared on social media in Morocco, prompting many people to believe that they would have a better chance of staying in Spain if they managed to swim into Ceuta.

Experts estimate that economic factors have also played an important role. Unemployment among young Moroccans aged 15-24 remains above 37%, while female unemployment has continued to rise.

On the other hand, the Spanish government has rejected claims that the crisis is a Moroccan reaction to Madrid's diplomatic rapprochement with Algeria, stressing that relations with Rabat "are excellent."

Reactions inside and outside Spain

The crisis has sparked intense political debate in Spain. The leader of the far-right Vox party, Santiago Abascal, accused Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of having “provoked the invasion of the border” with his immigration policies, while the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijo, said the government “refuses to admit that Spain is facing a serious national security problem.”

There were also reactions in Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed considering suspending Spain from the Schengen area, while France announced tightening controls on the border with Spain.

The White House also reacted through spokeswoman Anna Kelly, who stated that "President Trump has long warned Europe about the consequences of policies that favor mass immigration," calling on European countries to change course.

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