The border between Spain and Morocco in the enclave of Ceuta, in North Africa, is being reinforced against the possibility that thousands of people will try this Saturday, August 15, to access Spanish territory en masse as happened two weeks ago, causing a crisis that is still unresolved.
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The Spanish government has installed maritime barriers to prevent access by swimming to the North African city. It has also increased the presence of police and military personnel. In addition, the Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, warns that anyone who crosses the border irregularly will be returned to Morocco.
On the other side of the border, Morocco has also increased the presence of police officers and soldiers in response to messages encouraging entry into Ceuta this Saturday taking advantage of the holiday in Spain.
“All necessary measures have been taken to prevent any attempt at illegal crossing and to intercept anyone who tries to participate in it,” said Rachid El Khalfi, spokesperson for the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior.
The ministry specified that it had “detected in recent days the circulation of publications and anonymous messages on some social networks that incite the organization of attempts at collective and illegal crossing towards Ceuta and Melilla,” the other Spanish enclave in North Africa, located 400 km east of Ceuta.
According to the authorities, legal actions will be taken against those who transmit these publications.
In the city of Ceuta, 5,000 people who accessed it by swimming near the coast two weeks ago still remain. Many of them are minors who must be taken in, according to Spanish legislation, although their transfer to the Iberian Peninsula has no set date while care resources in Ceuta are overwhelmed.
The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior called on “the Spanish authorities (…) to assume their responsibility and to accelerate the return procedures” of these minors.
The migration crisis left 11 dead on the Moroccan side, according to Rabat. In Spanish territory, at least 80 people died, according to a Spanish commission of forensic specialists.
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