Morocco denies using pressure or blackmail during the Ceuta migration crisis. Rabat blames a Spanish Supreme Court ruling for weakening border controls and triggering the influx.
Morocco has firmly denied accusations of exerting “pressure or blackmail” during the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, instead attributing the mass arrival of irregular migrants to a Spanish Supreme Court decision that limited immediate expulsions at sea. According to Moroccan officials, this legal change undermined a key deterrent and shifted the dynamics at the border, leading to a sharp increase in attempted crossings.
During a meeting with international news agencies, Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country has acted as a “reliable ally” to Spain and had warned Madrid in advance about the risks posed by the court’s July ruling. The ministry argued that the decision weakened joint migration management by making rapid returns more difficult, thus encouraging more people to attempt the dangerous journey by sea.
A senior Moroccan diplomat explained that, following the court’s decision, migrants arriving by sea were no longer subject to immediate border procedures but instead entered a lengthy judicial process. This shift, he said, was quickly understood by those seeking to reach Europe, creating what he described as a “turning point” and fueling the perception that reaching Spanish territory had become easier.
Morocco insists it has not relaxed its border controls and continues to accept the return of those who cross irregularly. However, officials stressed that security deployments alone cannot manage migration flows, especially when legal deterrents are weakened. The ministry noted that Morocco currently deploys around 20,000 security personnel along its coastline and spends approximately 500 million euros annually on migration control, compared to 145 million euros in EU funding. “It’s not just about money, but about a shared strategy and vision,” the diplomat stated.
Authorities in Rabat also expressed disappointment with some Spanish politicians, accusing them of using the crisis for electoral purposes, even as coordination between the two governments remained “perfect.” The ministry highlighted that the surge in arrivals was amplified by social media and human trafficking networks, creating a strong pull effect that Morocco alone could not have anticipated or prevented.
Moroccan police reportedly avoided direct confrontation with large groups approaching the Ceuta border to prevent injuries, but officials rejected claims of deliberate inaction. They reiterated that migration management is a shared responsibility and called for a combination of security, development, and effective return measures to address the challenge.
For context, the Ceuta border crisis has drawn significant attention in Spain and across Europe. As previously reported, King Felipe VI called for decisive action after more than 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the pressure on Spanish authorities. The monarch’s response underscored the urgency of coordinated solutions as the situation unfolded.
Spain’s Supreme Court ruling, which limited the practice of “hot returns” for migrants arriving by sea, marked a significant shift in migration policy. While intended to align with human rights standards, the decision has complicated border management and raised questions about the balance between legal protections and effective deterrence. The Ceuta episode illustrates the complex interplay between judicial decisions, bilateral cooperation, and the realities of migration pressure at Europe’s southern frontier.
