Morocco has denied claims that it helped or planned the movement of migrants into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in July. It said there is no proof that Rabat was involved in the crossing.
Over 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco on July 30 and 31. The sudden influx increased tensions in Spain and caused more disagreement within the European Union about how to handle migration.
Than 100 people died during the crisis according to local officials and civil society groups. While most migrants have gone back thousands are still in Ceuta, including unaccompanied minors.
Many of them are living in camps or on streets and beaches. This has led to protests by residents who are unhappy with how the Spanish government is managing the situation.
Spain’s opposition parties have taken the crisis to criticize Madrid’s relationship with Rabat. They accuse authorities of either helping or knowingly allowing the mass crossing.
Morocco’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the accusations. It asked why Rabat should keep being blamed when there is no evidence or official report showing involvement.
The ministry also raised concerns about why migrants have not been returned even though Morocco said it would take them back. It called for unaccompanied minors to be reunited with their families.
Rabat accused politicians of trying to use Morocco as a “pre-election political pawn” and a scapegoat for their own domestic politics. This comes ahead of Spain’s general election, which is expected around mid-2027.
The disagreement comes at a time when Spain and Morocco have ties in security, economics and migration. That cooperation has grown since Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez supported Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022.
Spain has also released intelligence reports that warned of a large migrant entry just before the crisis.
A military intelligence report from July 30 said it was very likely Moroccan authorities were not actively encouraging the migration wave.. It said Morocco may have acted carelessly or passively.
Morocco does not recognize sovereignty over Ceuta or Melilla, which is another Spanish-administered enclave, on the Morocco border.
