Morocco had notified Spain about the potential migration challenges stemming from a recent Spanish court decision, a senior Moroccan official revealed. The warning came just before Ceuta faced an unprecedented influx of people attempting to cross into the Spanish enclave.
Over the past few days, nearly 60,000 individuals—primarily Moroccans—have either entered or attempted to enter Ceuta on foot or by swimming from the nearby city of Fnideq. This sudden surge overwhelmed the Spanish enclave, leading to thousands of forced returns to Morocco.
The Moroccan official, speaking anonymously to reporters on Monday evening, highlighted that Rabat had alerted Madrid about the risks posed by a Spanish Supreme Court ruling. The decision stipulated that immediate deportation would not apply to migrants arriving by sea, creating what the official described as a predictable problem.
«We explained that this ruling would create a problem. And it did,» the official stated.
Spain’s Prime Minister had previously linked the crisis to rumors spread by human trafficking networks, suggesting a deliberate misinterpretation of the court’s decision. However, the Moroccan official noted that discussions with Spanish authorities began between July 22 and 23, as smuggling networks started circulating news of the ruling.
The official firmly rejected claims that Morocco’s security measures had failed, emphasizing that law enforcement could not physically prevent such a massive movement of people.
«It’s oversimplifying to say Morocco should have just used force to stop them. That shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation,» the official argued. They also stressed that migration management is not Morocco’s sole responsibility, pointing out that the kingdom spends around €500 million annually on migration-related costs.
Despite the tensions, the official affirmed that Rabat and Madrid remain reliable partners, continuing to collaborate closely on migration issues. «Now, it’s Spain’s turn to address the challenges posed by this ruling,» they concluded.
Migrants return to Morocco after attempting to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa on July 31, 2026. ©Jorge Guerrero / AFP
