Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the north coast of Africa, is preparing for a potential new surge of migrants following social media calls urging crossings to coincide with elections taking place in neighboring Morocco. The situation in the city, which borders Morocco, has heightened tensions amid concerns over capacity and public services.
On Sunday, thousands of Ceuta residents staged a protest near the border, expressing frustration over the influx with chants demanding the expulsion of migrants. The city, which normally has a population of around 83,000, saw an estimated 80,000 migrants enter during a crisis beginning in late July. Current estimates suggest that between 10,000 and 15,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, placing considerable strain on local resources.
In response to rising concerns, Spanish authorities have sought to address the situation. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that Madrid has activated diplomatic channels to counteract social media campaigns encouraging new crossings. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska visited Ceuta recently to assess the situation firsthand.
Physical infrastructure meant to contain future crossings has encountered difficulties. A 500-meter inflatable sea barrier installed at the Tarajal breakwater, intended to serve as a defined border line following a Spanish supreme court ruling, has deteriorated. The court’s decision prevents Spain from immediately rejecting migrants intercepted after crossing by sea, complicating traditional border control procedures. The barrier was an attempt to provide a legal and physical delineation of the frontier near the Moroccan city of Castillejos, which was a key entry point during the previous surge.
Public services in Ceuta, particularly healthcare, are under pressure. The health workers’ union CEMSATSE, representing a large portion of Ceuta’s medical staff, announced a strike planned for Thursday, citing that the health system has exceeded operational capacity and accusing the health ministry of ignoring the emergency. Health Minister Mónica García has countered these claims, stating that the city’s sole hospital is operating at just over half capacity and denying there is a health crisis.
The minister also addressed concerns about disease spread among migrants, rejecting earlier claims of potential health threats as xenophobic. She noted that migrants often contract illnesses under poor living conditions in the city. Nonetheless, health authorities have reported cases of tuberculosis, varicella, scabies, and approximately 60 instances of gastroenteritis linked to contaminated food or water among migrant populations. These reports have led to protests by hospital staff and patients outside the facility.
As Ceuta faces the prospect of another mass migration event coinciding with political developments in Morocco, the city’s residents and authorities continue to grapple with complex humanitarian, legal, and logistical challenges.