CEUTA, Spain (AP) This past weekend, Ceuta, a tiny Spanish exclave in North Africa, appeared more settled than the preceding week, though its residents remained shaken by the tumultuous events that unfolded. The city had recently witnessed an unprecedented influx of approximately 60,000 migrants who had entered the territory by swimming and scrambling over barriers. By Sunday, most had returned to Morocco, yet some still lingered in the hills surrounding Ceuta as Spanish authorities continued to search for missing bodies in the waters nearby.
Life began returning to normal in Ceuta, with shops reopening and local cafes and restaurants, normally frequented by residents and tourists alike, slowly filling up again. However, the shadow of tragedy loomed large; Spanish authorities reported that at least 72 migrants had lost their lives during this chaotic incursion, a number that included victims of drowning and others who perished in a deadly stampede while attempting to cross a breakwater barrier. Conversely, Morocco reported 11 casualties on its side of the border, raising questions about whether these figures were in addition to those released by Spain. The Moroccan government attributed the incident to misinformation and the actions of human traffickers, stating they were conducting an investigation into the breach.
As the city, known for its rich cultural tapestry comprised of four distinct cultures, tried to make sense of the surge, local opinions diverged on the causes and who should bear the responsibility. Mohamad Abdelkader Driss, a 44-year-old waiter, emphasized that the young migrants were not to blame; instead, he pointed to the authorities as being responsible for the situation. Some migrants returning to Morocco echoed this sentiment, describing the border as largely open and stating that officials were largely inactive while witnessing the mass crossing.
The unauthorized influx of 50,000 to 60,000 individuals effectively increased Ceuta's population by over 50%, a statistic that Driss found concerning yet noted that the behavior of those who crossed was relatively orderly under the circumstances. He remarked, “It could have been much worse.”
The influx reignited broader debates surrounding immigration policies not just in Spain but throughout Europe. Amidst this turmoil, far-right anti-immigrant Spanish politicians, as well as notable right-wing influencers, converged on Ceuta, inciting counterprotests that drew participants from the city's substantial Muslim population, many being of Moroccan descent. Alvise Pérez, a far-right politician and member of the European Parliament, made a provocative speech, calling for the expulsion of the remaining migrants. His presence, however, was met with such animosity from locals that he eventually sought refuge in a nearby bar, necessitating police intervention for his protection.
Among the voices against this far-right rhetoric was Noor Ahmed, a 20-year-old resident of Ceuta who denounced the protests as opportunistic. She criticized the politicians for exploiting the ongoing humanitarian crisis to further their own agendas, asserting that they were merely taking advantage of vulnerable circumstances.
Santiago Abascal, the leader of the far-right Vox party, made a statement in Ceuta, labeling the influx of migrants as an "invasion" and criticizing the Spanish government for lapses in border security. He remarked that the borders of Ceuta and Melilla represented the boundaries of Spanish homeland and insisted they were inadequately protected by what he described as a "corrupt and traitorous government."
In response to the unfolding crisis, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern, stating he was “following with concern the alarming situation in Ceuta” and praying for peace, stability, and justice in the region. Migration has been a focal point for the Pope, underscored during a recent visit to Spain's Canary Islands, a significant entry point for migrants into Europe.
