Morocco demands return of 3,000 minors from Ceuta and claims North African enclaves

Moroccan demands on minor repatriation

Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi presented formal demands to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding the return of minors who crossed into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. The government in Rabat seeks a formal bilateral agreement to organize the immediate transfer of underage Moroccan citizens back across the border. In addition to living minors, Moroccan officials requested the handover of the bodies of Moroccan citizens who died while attempting to force their way into the Spanish enclave. Broadcaster Faro TV reported that Morocco placed particular focus on obtaining the return of 500 Moroccan girls whom the Sánchez administration intends to relocate to mainland Spain. Authorities in Rabat informed Spanish counterparts that Morocco is prepared to dispatch buses directly to the Ceuta border to receive its underage citizens. Over 3,000 minor migrants remain in the autonomous city following the late July border breach.

Crisis scale and human toll

The influx occurred over two days at the end of July when approximately 80,000 migrants entered Ceuta, taking advantage of inaction by Moroccan border authorities. Although more than 70,000 individuals returned to Morocco during the subsequent days, thousands of migrants stayed behind in the enclave. The sudden arrival of thousands of people altered public life across Ceuta, with individuals establishing encampments in public spaces including streets, local beaches, and a cemetery. Human rights non-governmental organisation Caminando Fronteras reported that at least 145 migrants lost their lives while attempting the mass crossing into the territory. Funerals for the first 30 deceased victims were conducted in the region on Friday and Saturday.

Territorial dispute over Ceuta and Melilla

Tensions between the two governments escalated on Friday when Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi presented territorial claims over Spain's North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla during an interview with Moroccan public broadcaster 2M. Ouahbi described Moroccan control over both autonomous cities as a matter of history and geography, adding that Rabat hopes to establish a dialogue with Madrid regarding their future status. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a formal diplomatic response late on Friday evening rejecting the claims. Spanish officials notified Rabat through diplomatic channels that Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish cities that form an integral part of Spain.

Military reinforcements and border security

Ceuta is an autonomous city located on an African promontory on the Strait of Gibraltar, positioned just over 20 kilometres across the water from the Spanish mainland coast. Spanish military authorities deployed 150 additional soldiers from the Canary Islands to the enclave on Thursday following reports of potential upcoming attempts to breach the border. The arrival of these troops expanded the total Spanish military deployment in Ceuta to more than 3,000 personnel. Spanish armed forces and local authorities maintain heightened surveillance along the frontier fence to deter unauthorized crossings and stabilize public areas throughout the enclave.