Ceuta leader accuses Morocco over ‘atrocity’ of mass border crossing
Juan Jesús Vivas says influx seen as ‘at least encouraged or permitted’ by Rabat, as Spain demands EU solidarity Explainer: why is Ceuta a migration flashpoint? A growing chorus of voices have accused Morocco of helping to fuel the crisis in Ceuta, with the leader of the Spanish enclave describing last week’s border crossings as an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity that was seen as being…
Morocco's role in a recent migration crisis is being questioned by Spain. Around 50,000 people suddenly arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with the leader of Ceuta saying the influx was "at least encouraged or permitted" by Rabat, according to The Guardian. Spain's interior ministry reported that 48,300 of these individuals were sent back to Morocco.
In response to the crisis, Spain plans to build a 1,600-foot containment fence around Ceuta, as reported by CBS News. The situation has sparked a political crisis across the EU, with some member states apportioning blame to Spain. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen described Morocco as "an important strategic partner" in stopping illegal migration, as stated by Channel News Asia.
The situation in Ceuta remains tense, although protesters and counterprotesters did disperse without major police intervention, according to Euronews. Le Monde English noted that the migration crisis has raised questions about Morocco's role and its challenge to Spain's sovereignty over Ceuta and another enclave, Melilla.
Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, CBS News, Channel News Asia, Euronews, The Guardian — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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