Migrant surge into Spain; Madrid summons Moroccan ambassador
Morocco’s ambassador to Madrid was summoned due to a mass influx of migrants from Morocco into Spanish territories in North Africa. More than six thousand people have sought refuge in Ceuta and Melilla so far. Over 2,700 of them have been returned to Morocco.
Within 24 hours of thousands of migrants entering Ceuta, Spain’s foreign minister conveyed her protest to the Moroccan government through its ambassador in Madrid.
Arancha González Laya told reporters that she reminded Karima Ben Ziou, Morocco’s ambassador, that both countries share equal responsibility in border control.
According to local authorities, by noon on Tuesday, May 18 (May 28 in the Persian calendar), more than six thousand migrants entered Ceuta, and hundreds attempted to cross the border fence of Melilla (Melilla), 200 kilometers away from Ceuta. According to police, 85 men and one woman succeeded in entering Melilla.
Ceuta and Melilla are located in North Africa but belong to Spain.
On Tuesday morning, Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, refrained from any criticism of the Moroccan government and emphasized that Rabat is Spain’s “ally and friend.” The socialist politician traveled to Ceuta that afternoon.
A retaliatory measure
Morocco’s ambassador told the Europa Press news agency before meeting with Spain’s foreign minister that events occur in relations between countries that have unpleasant consequences.
Observers assessed Ben Ziou’s comments as an indirect stance against the hospitalization of Polisario Front leader in a Spanish hospital. Ibrahim Ghali has contracted COVID-19.
It had previously been speculated that Morocco reduced its control of its coastlines in response to accepting Ghali at a Madrid hospital.
Polisario fights for the independence of Western Sahara and the establishment of a democratic republic in the region, a territory Morocco occupied in 1975. The Moroccan government considers Ghali a war criminal and demands his arrest and trial.
European Union’s position
On Tuesday afternoon, the European Commission called on Morocco to make greater efforts to prevent migrants from traveling to Spanish territories in North Africa.
Ylva Johansson, the EU’s commissioner for internal affairs, urged Moroccan authorities to take responsibility for illegal migration to Europe.
Johansson also called for the expulsion of migrants from Ceuta and Melilla.
According to local authorities, more than 2,700 of the people who went to Ceuta yesterday have been returned to Morocco.
Source: DW
