The Spanish government has formally requested assistance from the European Commission, seeking support from Frontex, Europol, and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) to screen migrants currently residing irregularly in Ceuta.
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Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has urged these agencies to strengthen the mechanisms established for triaging and processing the personal files of the remaining irregular immigrants in Ceuta.
The Ministry has also called for Operation Minerva—a joint effort between Spanish police and Frontex—to be extended until September 2nd until the crisis in the autonomous city is resolved.
Additionally, Madrid has requested EUAA assistance with conducting interviews and providing interpreters to facilitate the triage of migrants.
Owing to spatial constraints in Ceuta, this screening process is expected to be conducted electronically.
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The Interior Ministry announced on Friday a series of extraordinary measures to reinforce Ceuta’s borders, including extending the Tarajal and Benzú breakwaters, establishing a permanent maritime buoy containment system, deploying aerial drone surveillance, light intervention vessels, and remotely operated underwater devices.
Concurrently, Ceuta’s Assembly unanimously urged the central government to act immediately, describing the situation as extreme and on the verge of collapse.
The Board of Spokespersons, along with independent MPs, unanimously approved an institutional declaration a month after at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco, demanding urgent government action.
“Ceuta has lost its way of life and its tranquility. We have little time left to prevent disaster,” warned Ceuta’s President, Juan Vivas.
The declaration advocates for the lawful return of those who participated in the mass entry and remain in the city. It also upholds the right of citizens to protest peacefully and orderly, while condemning recent acts of violence.
“No one can or should take the law into their own hands. The defense of Ceuta and the interests of its people can only be pursued through legality,” Vivas asserted.
Call for Calm
Spain’s interior minister appealed for calm on Friday following clashes between residents and police during protests against migrants who have stayed in the North African enclave after a massive influx.
Tensions have remained high in the 80,000-person territory since at least 72,000 individuals crossed into Ceuta over several days in July, sparking a continent-wide migrant alert.
Although the Spanish government states that most have since departed the 18.5-square-kilometer enclave, thousands still wander the streets and sleep on beaches.
Protests have escalated in recent days, leading to clashes between demonstrators and police on Thursday at a beach where migrants had been sleeping, resulting in the burning of some belongings.
In a separate incident on Thursday, a soldier was injured after migrants threw stones at troops, leading to the arrest of 12 Moroccan migrants.
Two additional arrests were made following an attack on a police officer by migrants.
“Violence is not the answer,” Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told parliament on Friday.
“I urge calm and an end to all forms of violence, as it is not the way to resolve the complex problems facing Ceuta,” he added.
Right-wing and far-right factions have demanded the roundup and deportation of all migrants.
Grande-Marlaska accused these groups of inciting hatred and confrontation within Ceuta.
The government has emphasized that every individual must be identified to assess their eligibility for asylum or deportation, noting that unaccompanied migrant children require special protections.
Ceuta and Melilla, two small Spanish territories in North Africa, constitute Europe’s sole land border with Africa.
