Expert says Morocco orchestrated mass migrant entry into Ceuta

Morocco’s authorities deliberately enabled the entry of tens of thousands of migrants into Ceuta, migration expert Kert Valdaru told ERR.

Valdaru said Morocco opened its side of the border and gave residents information suggesting they could now enter Spain.

“There has been speculation that this may have been a warning to the Spanish authorities, which have resumed very good cooperation with Algeria or want to develop it in the future in both economic and political areas,” Valdaru said.

Ceuta and Melilla, two cities on the North African coast, have belonged to Spain for more than five centuries. Morocco has claimed both territories for years, and the latest mass entry was not the first such incident. However, conditions were particularly favourable this time, Valdaru said.

He said Spain had itself created greater demand to enter the country by recently announcing a programme allowing people staying there illegally to register legally and obtain residence permits. More than one million applications have been submitted so far, he said.

In addition, Spain’s Supreme Court recently ruled that refugees who arrived by sea could not be returned through an expedited procedure.

Valdaru said Morocco had achieved several objectives through the mass entry.

“More than 10 years after the previous migration crisis, the European Union is still unable to protect its external border. Secondly, our security still depends on several North African countries, in this case Morocco. And thirdly, societies become divided,” he said.

Disagreements between European countries began only hours after Moroccan nationals crossed the border. Italy was the first to announce that it would suspend Schengen rules with Spain. The debate has since spread across Europe.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal joined the leaders of 22 European Union countries in signing a letter to EU leaders.

“Spain must be helped and supported, and Spain must follow the rules to turn back at the external border those who want to enter illegally. People cannot enter the European Union illegally. The external border must hold, and we are also putting this pressure on Spain,” Michal said.

Interior Minister Igor Taro said Spain should be supported rather than attacked during the crisis.

“The reactions of some neighbouring countries were driven more by domestic political considerations. This is especially true given that, over the past five years, the number of illegal border crossings in Italy, for example, has been twice as high as in Spain,” Taro said.

The opposition said that internal Schengen border controls should be restored if necessary.

“I am convinced that the Schengen area will survive and will also be able to ensure security within Schengen if countries fulfil their obligations and do not provoke additional migration pressure. Certainly, if countries cannot manage this, additional measures must also be considered,” Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu said.

Centre Party leader Mihhail Kõlvart also wrote on social media that temporarily restoring border controls would be necessary and justified in the current situation.