Morocco had previously notified Spain of the potential migration challenges stemming from a recent Spanish court decision, a top Moroccan official revealed, dismissing any lapses in the country’s border security measures.
In recent days, nearly 60,000 individuals, primarily Moroccan nationals, crossed or attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on foot or by swimming from the nearby city of Fnideq. This unprecedented influx overwhelmed Ceuta’s capacity, prompting thousands of forced returns to Morocco.
The anonymous high-ranking official, speaking to reporters on Monday evening, stated that Moroccan authorities had warned Madrid about the risks posed by a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that prohibits immediate deportation of migrants arriving by sea.
«We explained that this ruling would create complications for us. And it did,» the official remarked.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attributed the crisis to «false narratives spread by human trafficking networks,» suggesting a deliberate misinterpretation of the court’s decision.
According to the Moroccan official, discussions with Spanish counterparts began around July 22-23, as smuggling networks started circulating information about the ruling.
The official emphasized that Morocco’s border security measures had not failed.
«Claiming Morocco should have simply used force to stop them is simplistic. It shows a lack of understanding of this phenomenon,» he argued, noting that authorities could not realistically confront such large crowds without escalating violence.
«Migratory pressures are not Morocco’s sole responsibility,» he added, highlighting that the kingdom bears an annual cost of approximately €500 million in managing migration flows.
Despite the crisis, he affirmed that Rabat and Madrid had acted as «reliable partners» and maintained «flawless coordination» on migration-related matters.
«Now, it is Spain’s turn to address the challenges arising from this ruling,» he concluded.
