Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta gathered for a demonstration on a popular urban beach, calling on Spanish authorities to provide them with asylum instead of deporting them back to Morocco. These individuals are part of the 5,000 to 8,000 migrants who remain in Ceuta following a mass border crossing two weeks ago, during which over 72,000 people entered the small territory with a population of about 80,000. While the majority of migrants returned voluntarily in the days that followed, those remaining in Ceuta are living in challenging conditions on El Trampolin beach or the city’s outskirts, hoping for an opportunity to continue their journey to mainland Europe.
Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the hardships faced by the migrants, highlighting their struggle sleeping near the sea in cold and unsanitary conditions, with restricted access to the city center by the police. The protesters displayed Spanish flags and banners with messages such as “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” while voicing slogans like “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.” Some migrants were seen washing clothes or fishing with makeshift bamboo rods along the rocky shore.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated earlier in the week that irregular migrants would not be permitted to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability. Ceuta’s medical board head, Enrique Roviralta, raised concerns over the strained health services in the city, citing exhaustion among healthcare workers, a slow response from the central government, and the emergence of diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies, as well as an increase in violence-related injuries.
Health Minister Monica Garcia addressed the situation, rejecting claims of a collapsed health system but acknowledging the pressure on local services. She emphasized that linking migration with illness is unfair and xenophobic, noting a moderate risk of epidemic outbreaks among migrants and a low risk for residents. Many Moroccan migrants interviewed revealed that they were driven to leave their country due to poor working conditions despite holding higher qualifications.
Individual stories shared by migrants, such as Mohammed Ouanzar’s struggle with low salaries hindering his ability to afford a home or start a family, shed light on the motivations behind their migration. Emmanuel, a Nigerian fleeing conflict, embarked on a perilous journey through Niger, Algeria, and Morocco to provide a better life for his children, willing to take any job available in Europe. These narratives underscore the diverse challenges and aspirations driving migrants to seek refuge and opportunities in Ceuta and beyond.