Ceuta migrant crisis: Spain breaks silence with firm sovereignty message

Spain has firmly defended its sovereignty over Ceuta following last week's unprecedented migrant influx, as thousands of people remain in the North African territory after crossing from Morocco.

The Spanish government described its control over both Ceuta and Melilla as beyond dispute, even as the mass border crossing intensified scrutiny of relations between Madrid and Rabat.

Spain says Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of the country

Speaking on Monday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said there was no question over Spain's sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, insisting that both territories are an inseparable part of the country.


"That Ceuta and Melilla are an integral part of Spain's territory is unquestionable, for the whole world," he said.

His remarks came days after an estimated 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta, many swimming around the border barriers separating the enclave from Morocco in one of the largest irregular crossings the region has witnessed.

Thousands remain after most migrants return

Spanish authorities said the majority of those who crossed into Ceuta have since returned to Morocco.

However, officials estimate that between 2,500 and 5,000 people are still in the enclave.

Security personnel have continued patrolling the area, while police and military units have been escorting groups of migrants back toward the Moroccan border.

The ongoing operation remains one of Spain's biggest recent border management challenges.

Concerns grow over migrant children

Humanitarian organisations have raised alarm over the number of unaccompanied minors still in Ceuta.

According to Save the Children, around 1,000 children remain in the territory without adequate protection, placing severe pressure on local welfare services.

The charity said the city's child protection facilities can accommodate only a fraction of those requiring assistance.

Aid groups have also warned about shortages of food, shelter and essential support for many young migrants waiting near the border.

Spain credits Morocco's cooperation

Spain's Migration Minister Elma Saiz acknowledged that the scale of the migrant arrivals caught authorities off guard, saying there had been no advance warning about the numbers approaching the border. "There was no report alerting us to the size of the numbers that we had to respond to."

"Of course, this response would not have been possible without Morocco's collaboration," she added.

Madrid has largely avoided publicly criticising Rabat throughout the crisis, choosing instead to emphasise coordination between the two countries.

Diplomatic tensions remain in focus

The sudden influx has fuelled speculation over whether the crossings were linked to broader diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco.

Some political observers believe the episode may have reflected growing strain following Spain's efforts to strengthen relations with Algeria, Morocco's regional rival.

Spanish officials, however, have also blamed criminal networks for spreading misleading claims that recent immigration-related court rulings would make it easier for migrants to remain in Spain.

Meanwhile, the situation has attracted wider European attention, with EU interior ministers expected to discuss the Ceuta border crisis as member states assess its implications for migration policy and border security.

(With AFP inputs)