Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez seeks to regain control over Ceuta crisis

Ceuta, a Spanish North African enclave, witnessed a massive protest on Wednesday as residents expressed their discontent over the handling of a migrant crisis. Nearly 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, are currently stranded in makeshift camps or scattered across streets and beaches in the city. The crisis erupted in July when over 72,000 people crossed from Morocco, overwhelming the enclave's resources.

The protest, which coincided with Ceuta Day, saw thousands of people march through the streets, waving Spanish flags and blowing whistles. They chanted slogans demanding Ceuta's defense and criticizing the Spanish government's management of the crisis. Some demanded the expulsion of migrants, while others called for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to resign.

The protests also took place in other major Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao. Nearly five weeks after the surge, the situation remains dire, with local authorities stating that the migrants' presence has triggered near-daily protests. Demonstrators accused the government of a dereliction of duty, calling it inadequate, late, and a complete abandonment of their responsibilities.

The Spanish government's response has been criticized for being insufficient and politically motivated. While the central government has increased accommodation center capacity to over 3,400 places, local groups and political leaders argue that this is still insufficient to ensure the safety of both citizens and migrants. Moreover, negotiations between the local and central government are deadlocked, with the People's Party, which governs most regions, calling for the deportation of all migrants, including minors.

Local officials and activists have called for adequate funding and space from the central government to address the crisis effectively. They argue that this is a matter of human rights and dignity for both residents and migrants in Ceuta.