The migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain, on the northern coast of Africa, is far from over. The European Commission has confirmed that several thousand migrants remain in the exclave, including a significant number of unaccompanied minors. Brussels is also urging Spain and Morocco to maintain control of the situation and prevent further mass border crossings.
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said at a press briefing on Tuesday that a recent EU technical mission had assessed directly on the ground what assistance Ceuta needs. He said that particular attention is being paid to the several thousand people who continue to reside in the city, and especially to unaccompanied migrant minors.
"The priority now is for the Spanish and Moroccan authorities to maintain control of the situation and ensure the swift return of all those who remain illegally in Ceuta," Lammert said, according to the TASS agency. The European Commission is ready to provide support to Madrid and other involved institutions.
According to the European Commission, Spain and Morocco managed to prevent another large-scale attempt by migrants to enter Ceuta over the weekend. However, the situation at the border remains tense, and European institutions continue to monitor it.
Madrid has not yet officially requested extraordinary financial assistance from Brussels related to the crisis. Lammert emphasized that relevant EU agencies are ready to intervene if Spain requests it.
Tens of thousands of people crossed the border
The current crisis began at the end of July, when tens of thousands of people from Morocco attempted to reach Ceuta during an exceptionally strong migration wave. Some crossed the border on foot, while others tried to swim along the coast and bypass the protective barriers separating Spanish territory from Morocco.
The scale of the influx of migrants prompted the Spanish government to deploy the army in Ceuta, which helped security forces stabilize the situation.
Most of those who arrived have since returned to Morocco. However, Spanish authorities estimate that approximately 5,000 migrants may still be in Ceuta. This represents an extraordinary logistical, security, and humanitarian burden for a city with a population of approximately 80,000.
Ceuta, along with Melilla, represents one of the most sensitive areas on the external border of the European Union. The events of recent weeks once again show how quickly migration pressure off the North African coast can escalate into a problem that has broader European implications.
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