The relationship between Spain and Morocco has always been characterized by its complexity. In diplomatic circles, the expression “cushion of interests” is used, which implies the acceptance by both parties that they have no other alternative but to understand each other, beyond the problems or tensions that may arise. Morocco has challenged Spain more than once throughout its history, from the challenge of the Green March at the end of Francoism to the permissiveness when it suited them to send migrants to the Peninsula. The geographical fragility of Ceuta and Melilla does not help at all, as has been seen these days. Two enclaves in North Africa that separate two continents with a simple metal fence.
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It is possible that this new crisis has nothing to do with the one in 2021, when the Moroccan ambassador, Karima Benyaich, stated that “there are acts that have consequences.” At that time, the Alaouite regime was outraged by the Spanish Government’s decision to host the leader of the Polisario Front, Brahim Gali, in a hospital in Logroño, and that is why it allowed the incursion of immigrants into Ceuta. In the current case, the Moroccan Government does not acknowledge its passivity in control, but it is evident that more than 50,000 young people cannot enter the autonomous city so easily.
The invasion is a clear message from Morocco to Spain. Beyond the kind words, Rabat demonstrates that it has control of the situation. That at any moment it can trigger an avalanche like the one experienced yesterday, and the resources Spain has are very limited to stop it. The spark for everything that has happened was a Supreme Court ruling, which on July 8 ruled that “hot returns” of migrants intercepted at sea trying to swim into Ceuta or Melilla could not be allowed. Social networks did the rest and thousands of young people joined the adventure.
Even Donald Trump reacted yesterday to say that his country will be like Ceuta “within three years” if the Democrats win. His invective fueled conspiracy theories about whether the United States knew what was going to happen in Ceuta. What is certain is that Morocco will do everything it can to have the final of the 2030 World Cup.
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