Tens of thousands protest in Spain over Ceuta migration crisis, accuse government of appeasement

Numerous people take part in a rally in Valencia for the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Source: Rober Solsona / EUROPA PRESS / dpa

In Madrid alone, 50,000 people demonstrated. In Ceuta, thousands demanded a return to normality. Participants and speakers accused the central government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of pursuing a policy of appeasement towards Morocco and of lacking assistance for the embattled exclave.

In response to the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta, tens of thousands of people took part in nationwide rallies to affirm the North African exclave's affiliation with Spain and to protest the migration policy of the government in Madrid. Demonstrators and speakers accused the central government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of pursuing a policy of appeasement towards Morocco and of failing to provide adequate support for Ceuta.

Although Morocco has long claimed both Ceuta and the other Spanish North African exclave, Melilla, it is currently not exerting particularly strong pressure on this issue.

Late in the evening, according to a report by El País, the National Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse extremist groups near the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. Four demonstrators, including two minors, were reportedly arrested for causing a disturbance and resisting state authority. Additionally, four police officers were injured.

Opposition Leader Sharply Attacks Government

Spanish opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative People's Party described the situation as an "invasion" by migrants, alleging that Morocco was behind it. He accused Sánchez and his government of lying, stating that their claims of having received no warning about the migration crisis and that Morocco had not incited it were both untrue.

In Ceuta, thousands of people gathered under a sea of Spanish flags, demanding a return to normality and reaffirming the exclave's continued belonging to Spain. "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta does not surrender," read banners.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrate in Valencia. Source: Rober Solsona / EUROPA PRESS / dpa

Migration Crisis by the Numbers

• On July 30 and 31, according to government figures, at least 72,000 migrants streamed into Ceuta.
• One month later, approximately 5,000 migrants remained in the exclave.
• Some were camping on streets and beaches, placing a significant burden on the 83,000 local residents.
• There have been repeated demonstrations and, at times, violent attacks on migrants and private aid organizations.

Legal and Logistical Challenges

Spain cannot collectively deport the migrants for legal reasons and must decide each asylum application individually—a process likely to take weeks or months.

The Spanish central government also does not wish to transfer the migrants to the mainland, as Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area. Doing so could prompt other Schengen members to introduce border controls with Spain, as Italy has already done.

Right-Wing Populists Also Demonstrated

The umbrella organization FEMP of Spanish municipalities, led by the conservative opposition People's Party (PP), had called for the rallies on the day of the regional holiday in Ceuta. The right-wing populist party Vox also participated in the demonstrations.

"Ceuta is Spanish and will not be left alone," said Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida.