Morocco issued early warnings to Spain about migration risks from Spanish court decision

In the days leading up to the unprecedented migration surge in Ceuta, Morocco communicated its concerns to Spain regarding a recent Spanish court ruling that could destabilize migration flows, a senior Moroccan official confirmed. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed any suggestion that Morocco’s security measures had failed.

The crisis unfolded as nearly 60,000 people, primarily Moroccan nationals, crossed or attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from the nearby town of Fnideq. The sudden influx overwhelmed Ceuta’s capacity, leading to thousands of returns to Morocco shortly after.

The Moroccan official emphasized that authorities had alerted Madrid to the potential consequences of the Spanish Supreme Court’s decision, which ruled out immediate deportations for migrants arriving by sea. “We explained that this ruling would create a problem. And it did,” the official stated.

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, attributed the crisis to misleading interpretations of the court ruling, suggesting it was fueled by rumors spread by human trafficking networks. The Moroccan official, however, noted that discussions with Spain began around July 22-23, when networks first signaled the implications of the decision.

Addressing claims that Morocco could have prevented the situation through force, the official argued, “It’s simplistic to assume Morocco should have used force. This is a complex phenomenon.” He highlighted the challenges of managing such a large-scale movement without resorting to confrontation, stressing that migration management is not Morocco’s sole responsibility.

While acknowledging the annual cost of €500 million Morocco incurs in migration management, the official reaffirmed the country’s commitment to cooperation with Spain. “Morocco and Spain have acted as reliable partners, maintaining seamless coordination on migration issues,” he said. “Now, it’s Spain’s turn to address the challenges posed by this ruling.”

Migrants return to Morocco after attempting to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 31, 2026. ©Jorge Guerrero / AFP