They are still coming. Although the Spanish army is waiting for them next to rescue workers on the beach of Tarajal: Migrants from Morocco fleeing unemployment and prospects, political instability, the consequences of climate change – and a pandemic that only makes everything worse.
At least 6,000 people have swum from Morocco to Ceuta since Monday. The Spanish enclave (around 85,000 inhabitants) has, along with the other Spanish enclave Melilla, the only land border between the EU and Africa. Nevertheless: Usually only a few migrants make it across the border.
But after the Moroccan police suspended control of the adjacent beaches, thousands took the chance to walk up to the border fence on the coast. From there they only had to swim around a pier to get to Ceuta. The Spanish newspaper “El País” described the situation on Monday as a “highway on the sea” – at least one person drowned in the Mediterranean.
EU leader: “Need joint solutions”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (49) speaks of a “serious crisis”. Never before had so many migrants entered Spanish territory in one day. The record number presents a challenge for Spain. 1600 people had already been brought back to Morocco by Tuesday lunchtime – but there are also numerous women with babies and unaccompanied minors among those arriving.
EU leader Ursula von der Leyen (62) assured Ceuta and Spain of her solidarity. «We need joint EU solutions to manage migration. This can be achieved with an agreement on the new migration pact. Stronger partnerships based on mutual trust and shared commitments with key partners like Morocco are crucial, ”she tweeted.
How did the thousands of arrivals in Ceuta come about?
Morocco apparently let the people pass out of spite. The government in Rabat is angry that Spain allowed medical treatment for the head of the Polisario independence movement for Western Sahara, Brahim Ghali (71), in a hospital in Logroño (Rioja). Morocco claims the area on its southern border as part of its national territory. A historical dispute.
Western Sahara on the North African Atlantic coast was a Spanish colony until 1975. Morocco controls large parts of the sparsely populated area on its southern border. The Polisario seeks independence for the Western Sahara. Morocco only wants to grant the region autonomy.
In December, the then-elected but still incumbent US President Donald Trump (74) recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. Since then, tensions have grown between Morocco and European countries that criticized Trump’s decision. For example, Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Berlin.