Government's Response to Border Stability
On September 23, the Spanish Government experienced a sense of relief as the border remained calm, coinciding with Morocco's heightened security measures for its legislative elections. This tranquility was crucial, especially since social media platforms had seen a resurgence of calls for repeat assaults on the borders of Ceuta and Melilla. The Spanish authorities can only ensure that incidents like those on July 30 and 31 will not recur based on assurances received from Rabat. Government sources indicated that Morocco cannot afford to project a negative image again, showcasing a rational approach to a complex situation.
However, accepting that Morocco now holds the capability to prevent such events implicitly acknowledges that it failed to do so just two months prior during the Ceuta crisis. Although the Spanish Government is hesitant to directly attribute blame to its neighboring country, the tone of their communications has become increasingly assertive. In a recent interview with CNN during the UN General Assembly in New York, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez went so far as to state that Morocco 'failed' in border control and that Spain had requested 'actions' in response. This marks a significant shift, as it is the closest the Spanish Government has come to publicly holding Rabat accountable, despite internal clarity on the issue.
A government minister confirmed that the Prime Minister's statement reflects the reality of the situation, suggesting that further information is surfacing. 'Morocco miscalculated, and things spiraled out of control,' he concluded. Beyond acknowledging this fact, officials in Moncloa are acutely aware of the political and social ramifications of this issue. The ongoing crisis in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants remain on the streets, is compounded by a disconnect with public sentiment. Notably, sources indicate that around 99% of the population believes Morocco is behind the mass entry of migrants in July.
As reported by abc.es.Legal Oversight and Continued Migrant Crisis
Within the Government, there is a belief that the judicial scrutiny of these events adds a layer of transparency that extends beyond mere political narratives. Judge María Tardón of the National Court has requested information from Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI) to identify those responsible for instigating the border crisis. This report will encompass not only the preliminary warnings shared by Moncloa but also additional information from August, suggesting a comprehensive investigation. The Government may need to approve further declassifications in the Council of Ministers to facilitate this process, with the report's timeline contingent on these decisions.
Concurrently, the situation in Ceuta remains untenable. Government sources describe it as 'terrible,' criticizing the sluggish pace of administrative processes for returning irregular migrants. There is a consensus among high-level officials that the handling of these cases should be expedited, given the inadequate number of staff deployed to manage the influx. 'The return process should be faster,' they emphasize, clearly expressing frustration over operational shortcomings.
Regarding the potential deployment of military forces to assist in these operations, the Ministry of Defense clarified that their mandate is limited to specific tasks focused on deterrence and presence, rather than maintaining public order. The team led by Margarita Robles noted that no requests have been made for the Military Emergency Unit (UME) to engage in current duties, stating, 'The UME was requested on the afternoon of the 30th and was deployed. We cannot go where we are not invited.'
This military strategy appears to conflict with Moncloa's policy of appeasement towards Morocco, a relationship deemed crucial to preventing a recurrence of the July events and addressing the current migrant situation. As Sánchez acknowledged, Spain has requested urgent measures from Morocco to resolve the crisis, highlighting the need for collaboration not only from Morocco but also from the entire European Union.
Looking ahead, the Council of Ministers is set to approve new locations in Ceuta to accommodate the migrants who are still without proper housing. The upcoming meeting aims to implement measures that will increase available spaces, as the immediate solution to the social issues in the autonomous city hinges on the ability to process all individuals and initiate return procedures as warranted. Government estimates suggest that the majority of migrants who arrived in July may not be eligible for protection under international law in Spain.
