Morocco says it aims to stop new migrant surge to Spain's Ceuta on August 15th
Moroccan authorities on Wednesday announced measures to counter a new influx of migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta, after monitoring a new wave of online disinformation.
On Wednesday, Moroccan authorities announced measures to prevent a new wave of migrants from crossing into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, following the detection of online disinformation. For over a week, posts on social media claimed that the border crossing between Fnideq, Morocco and Ceuta, Spain would be open on August 15th, a public holiday in Spain.
This comes after approximately 72,000 individuals, primarily Moroccans, illegally entered Ceuta over a few days in late July, setting a new record, although most have since been returned to Morocco. Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesman for the Moroccan interior ministry, confirmed that all necessary steps were taken to counter illegal passage attempts and intercept individuals intending to participate.
The ministry reported detecting disinformation circulating on social media, inciting collective, illegal border crossings towards Ceuta. Those spreading such calls would face legal consequences, according to the ministry. A group of suspected individuals has been summoned for investigation, with details provided by the state news agency MAP.
Following the influx last month, around 2,000 individuals, including about 1,000 unaccompanied minors, remain in Ceuta. The Moroccan interior ministry has requested Spanish authorities expedite the minors' return. Moroccan authorities recovered 11 deceased individuals during the crisis, while Spain reported at least 80 deaths, though the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, a non-governmental organization, estimated the death toll to be at least 141.
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