Ceuta on the Brink: President Pleads for EU Intervention Against Morocco Crisis

Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas has urgently appealed to Brussels for assistance, describing his city as "on the brink of collapse" following an unprecedented influx of approximately 80,000 migrants who illegally crossed into the exclave last month, on July 30. Distancing himself from Spain’s cooperative approach to Rabat, Vivas has openly accused Morocco of a “policy of harassment” towards Ceuta and has pressed the European Union to adopt a tougher stance, advocating for significant funding to bolster border security and facilitate the return of irregular migrants. Thousands of third-country nationals, including unaccompanied minors, currently remain in Ceuta.

During meetings with three EU commissioners and several lawmakers in Brussels, Vivas underscored the urgent need to restore normality and manage the humanitarian crisis that erupted after the mass influx, which tragically left over 150 people dead at sea. He sharply criticized Spain’s national government, led by Pedro Sánchez, for what he perceived as an inadequate response before, during, and after the July incident. Vivas asserted that "The EU should tell Morocco that any fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation begins by respecting our borders," a sentiment echoed by applause from center-right EPP lawmakers and staff at the European Parliament.

In contrast to Vivas's strong condemnation, Spain has refrained from directly blaming Morocco for the Ceuta incident. Instead, Madrid has attributed the mass influx to false claims disseminated on social media and the actions of human traffickers, maintaining its description of Rabat as a “trusted partner” in addressing irregular migration—a position also supported by the European Commission. Vivas, however, questioned this stance, stating, “The government should explain why it refuses to hold Morocco responsible, whether directly or through inaction, for the invasion,” especially in light of a leaked police report suggesting Moroccan forces may have played a role. He reiterated his concern that Rabat maintains a "policy of harassment," causing fear among Ceuta's citizens of future sudden major influxes.

While stopping short of supporting Spain’s far-right party Vox’s call for suspending EU funds to Morocco—which currently amount to €160 million for migration management until 2027—Vivas specifically requested EU financial support to develop robust border infrastructure and manage the ongoing humanitarian challenges. He also advocated for a "special status" for Ceuta and Melilla, as Europe’s only land borders with Africa, requiring migration rules adapted to their unique circumstances. Furthermore, he called for a "permanent presence" in Ceuta of both the EU asylum agency (EUAA) and Frontex, the agency responsible for the bloc’s external borders.

According to Vivas, EU Commissioners Andrius Kubilius, Magnus Brunner, and Dubravka Šuica expressed their support for Ceuta's plight. However, the European Commission has not yet made any specific commitments, instead announcing that a technical mission would be dispatched to Ceuta this week to "assess the situation." Vivas concluded his urgent appeal with a stark warning, "The situation is untenable. We need EU support to restore normality. If Ceuta falls, Europe falls.”

In other significant global developments reported, Sasha Vakulina highlighted a new report alleging that the UAE explicitly warned Benjamin Netanyahu about the Hamas 7 October attack days in advance, a warning the Israeli Prime Minister reportedly failed to relay to the country's security and intelligence services. Meanwhile, Sándor Zsíros reported on Hungary's decision to expel ten Russian diplomats due to activities a Hungarian minister deemed "unacceptable." Poland's Educational Research Institute Director, Maciej Jakubowski, also provided insights into the newly released PISA results.

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