European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for “united action” on border security following a chaotic mass influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of bbc.co.uk. Von der Leyen described the scenes at the border as “unacceptable,” stating that the European Union will not tolerate irregular entries and that migration must occur in accordance with bloc rules.
EU President Calls for United Action After Ceuta Migrant Crisis
The crisis saw approximately 60,000 migrants enter the Spanish autonomous city within a 24-hour period, according to Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas. Vivas described the situation as absolutely unsustainable,
noting that the number of arrivals was equivalent to nearly 70 percent of the city’s resident population. Spain estimates that about 69,500 migrants have since returned to Morocco, a figure that exceeds initial estimates of 50,000.
Casualties and Border Response
The mass crossings resulted in significant loss of life. Some victims drowned or were crushed while attempting to climb the border fence breakwater.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the breach as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.
He attributed the surge to human trafficking networks and “mafias” spreading rumors regarding a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling. That ruling prevented authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea, though it does not apply to those entering by land. Activists in Morocco expressed doubt that the legal ruling was the primary driver of the surge, suggesting most migrants were unaware of the decision.
Moroccan security forces attempted to disperse crowds gathered near the fences using water cannon trucks and tear gas. Migrants typically reach Ceuta by swimming from the Moroccan town of Fnideq or the nearby town of Belyounech.
Diplomatic Tensions Within the EU
The crisis has strained relations among the EU’s 27 member states. Italy temporarily suspended the application of the Schengen arrangement with Spain, a move backed by Denmark and Finland. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš further urged a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership. The Schengen agreement currently encompasses 29 countries and more than 450 million people, eliminating internal border checks.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued that the situation demonstrates the urgency for Europe to respond to illegal immigration, stating that defending the Union’s external borders is a shared responsibility of Europe.
Italy and Denmark promoted a letter signed by 22 EU member states calling for coordinated action to:
- Strengthen external borders
- Dismantle human trafficking networks
- Combat irregular migration
- Improve migrant returns
- Remove incentives for illegal entries
Tensions escalated when Spain summoned Italy’s ambassador in Madrid after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen Area, accusing Madrid of failing to control irregular migration. Prime Minister Sánchez expressed serious concerns
about some European governments, alleging they were driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest,
while noting that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area.
EU Coordination and Next Steps
To manage the crisis, Ursula von der Leyen tasked two European Commissioners with supporting Spain. Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner is coordinating operational support, including assistance through Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency. Additionally, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica has maintained contact with her Moroccan counterpart.
Ireland, currently holding the rotating EU presidency, announced it would convene an emergency video conference of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on Tuesday. The meeting, chaired by Irish Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Minister Jim O’Callaghan, follows the urgent request from 22 bloc members to agree on a coordinated response and prevent further uncontrolled crossings.
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