Key facts
- Morocco's foreign ministry rejected accusations of involvement in the July mass crossing into Ceuta.
- Spain's lower house approved legislation granting citizenship to Sahrawis born during Spanish rule of Western Sahara.
- Morocco stated it refuses to be used as a political pawn in Spain's domestic disputes.
- Spanish intelligence had warned both Madrid and Moroccan counterparts about the possibility of a mass crossing.
- Spain backed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022, easing prior tensions.
Morocco's foreign ministry on Thursday rejected accusations of involvement in the mass crossing of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July, stating that no evidence established Rabat's role. The ministry asserted that Morocco refuses to be used as a political pawn in Spain's domestic disputes, particularly concerning the handling of the migrant crisis.
More than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in July, with over 100 deaths reported according to NGOs. Thousands, including unaccompanied minors, remain in the enclave, leading to protests against the Spanish government's management of the situation. Spain's opposition parties have criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government and accused Rabat of facilitating the crossing.
The Moroccan ministry questioned the lack of evidence for its involvement and why illegal migrants were not being returned, despite commitments, and why unaccompanied minors were being kept from their families when Morocco had requested their return. Reports from the Spanish government indicated that its intelligence and security agencies had warned both Madrid and Moroccan counterparts about the potential for a mass crossing.
Separately, Spain's lower house approved legislation granting citizenship to Sahrawis born when Madrid administered Western Sahara from 1884 to 1976. This move, supported by the ruling Socialist Party and Sumar coalition, could strain relations with Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the territory. The bill passed with 168 votes in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions. Tesh Sidi, of the Sumar coalition, stated the bill would restore Spanish national identity. Spain's shift in 2022 to back Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara had previously eased bilateral tensions.