Spain’s royals set to visit Ceuta as migration crisis exposes divisions

Ceuta, a small Spanish territory in North Africa, is home to a unique blend of Muslims and Christians who have historically coexisted peacefully. However, a recent migration crisis has exposed the underlying divisions within this seemingly harmonious society. On Tuesday, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta to address the ongoing issue.

The crisis began in late July when an estimated 80,000 migrants from neighboring Morocco poured into Ceuta, drawn by online rumors that Spain had opened its borders. While most migrants left shortly after crossing, around 15,000 remained, straining the city's resources and causing tensions to rise between residents.

Many of the remaining migrants have sought shelter in Muslim neighborhoods, where they have lived on the streets, in doorways, makeshift camps, and centers run by non-governmental organizations and locals. This has led to a sense of frustration among residents, who feel they are being asked to provide for an entire city while facing their own difficulties.

Mohamed Susi, a resident of El Principe, a predominantly Muslim neighborhood, expressed his exasperation, stating, "What do they want? That we feed all of Ceuta?" He questioned whether the city needed to shoulder the burden of the crisis.

Meanwhile, volunteers and workers at a Muslim charity, Luna Blanca, have been distributing meals to the migrants, providing an average of 3,000 to 5,000 meals per day. However, they have faced threats and insults for their efforts, highlighting the strained relations between residents and those providing aid.

Despite signs of normalcy returning to Ceuta's downtown, where both Christians and Muslims continue to frequent, the underlying divisions remain. Storefronts display messages of defiance, and the flags of Spain and Ceuta hang from balconies. However, the city's unrest cannot be ignored, with residents staging regular protests demanding solutions from the national government.

The crisis has also raised questions about the loyalty of some Muslims in the city, who have defended the migrants. Francisco Luna, an auto repair shop owner, admitted that the atmosphere in Ceuta has become "terrible" due to the recent events. He expressed concern that some Muslims might be protecting the migrants at the expense of their loyalty to Ceuta.

Ceuta has a long history of coexistence, with its 84,000 residents being Spanish and EU citizens. Many of the city's Muslims have roots in Morocco, and while the majority do not experience significant poverty, they do face higher rates of marginalization compared to the rest of the exclave. Despite previous migrant surges, this summer's crisis has been the deadliest, casting doubt on the notion of a "mirage" of coexistence in Ceuta.