Phoenix 24
Rabat rejects accusations of orchestration as border failures deepen political tensions in Spain.
RABAT, MOROCCO
Morocco has formally denied involvement in the mass arrival of more than 70,000 migrants in Ceuta on July 30 and 31. Its Foreign Ministry said no evidence establishes that Moroccan authorities planned or facilitated the crossings and rejected attempts to turn the country into a political scapegoat ahead of Spain’s next national election.
The statement follows the release of Spanish intelligence documents showing that the National Intelligence Centre warned authorities in Madrid and Rabat one day before the crisis. The reports identified social-media campaigns promoting a coordinated entry into Ceuta. Other Spanish documents and witness accounts have alleged that Moroccan security forces remained passive—or even directed migrants—during crucial hours, but they do not conclusively demonstrate that the Moroccan government ordered the operation.
Rabat also questioned why Spain has not accelerated the return of irregular migrants and unaccompanied minors, despite Morocco’s declared willingness to readmit them. Spanish authorities must nevertheless conduct returns under domestic and international law, including safeguards for minors and people who may qualify for asylum. Thousands reportedly remain in Ceuta, placing severe pressure on accommodation, healthcare and public services.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said Spain possesses no solid evidence that Morocco orchestrated the crossing, although he acknowledged that Moroccan forces permitted entries during part of the crisis. Opposition parties have used the episode to challenge his government’s close relationship with Rabat and its ability to protect the border.
The dispute exposes the fragility beneath bilateral cooperation established after Spain endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022. Madrid depends heavily on Moroccan assistance with migration control, counterterrorism and trade, while Rabat benefits from European investment and political recognition. Neither government appears interested in a complete rupture, but unanswered questions about advance warnings and border conduct will continue to test their relationship.
Economic dependence creates efficiency, but it can also create leverage.