Moroccan Authorities Assert Early Warnings to Spain
In a recent statement, a senior Moroccan official has claimed that Spain was alerted as early as July regarding the potential for increased migratory pressures on Ceuta, a Spanish enclave located on the northern coast of Africa. This assertion comes in the wake of a significant influx of migrants into the region, which has raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures in place. The Moroccan official emphasized that the issue of migration should not solely be viewed as Morocco's responsibility, suggesting a shared accountability in addressing the challenges posed by migration.
According to the unnamed official, Moroccan authorities informed Madrid around July 22-23 of concerns stemming from a recent ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court. This ruling indicated that immediate deportations of migrants did not apply to those arriving by sea. The Moroccan representative stated, "We indicated that this judgment would create a problem, and indeed it did." Both Rabat and Madrid have pointed to the misinterpretation of this judicial decision as a significant factor contributing to the unprecedented migratory crisis currently being experienced.
Despite the claims from Moroccan officials, the Spanish government has denied receiving any prior warnings about potential mass arrivals. Reports have surfaced indicating that Spanish intelligence services had informed the Interior Ministry about the risks of increased migration to Ceuta, although these claims have been refuted by Spanish authorities. Amidst this conflicting narrative, some experts have criticized Moroccan law enforcement for their apparent inaction during the peak of the crisis. However, the Moroccan official defended their response, asserting that confronting such a large number of individuals was simply not feasible.
As reported by rfi.fr.
