Hundreds of migrants who recently arrived in Ceuta, a North African enclave of Spain, gathered for a demonstration on a popular urban beach on Sunday, calling on Spanish authorities to provide them with asylum instead of deporting them back to Morocco. These migrants were part of the estimated 5,000 to 8,000 individuals who remained in Ceuta following a massive border crossing two weeks ago, during which over 72,000 people entered the small territory, with the majority voluntarily returning in the days that followed.
Facing overstretched resources in the city, most migrants were living in precarious conditions on El Trampolin beach or on the outskirts of the city, awaiting an opportunity to continue their journey to mainland Europe. Ayoub Elarroud from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the hardships they were enduring, sleeping near the sea in cold and unsanitary conditions while facing restrictions from accessing the city center by the police.
During the protest, migrants displayed Spanish flags and banners with messages like “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” chanting slogans such as “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.” On the rocky shores behind them, some migrants were seen washing clothes or fishing with makeshift bamboo rods.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska recently stated that irregularly entering migrants would not be allowed to remain in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability. The city’s limited healthcare workers were reported to be exhausted, as diseases like infectious diarrhea and scabies were spreading, along with an increase in violence-related injuries.
Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims of a collapsed healthcare system but acknowledged the pressure on local services. Migrants cited poor working conditions in Morocco as a driving factor for their journey, with many expressing the desire for better opportunities in Europe. Emmanuel, a Nigerian electrician, highlighted his motivation for seeking a better life for his children, willing to take any job offered to him.
These stories reflect a broader trend of migrants seeking a better future, enduring perilous journeys and facing uncertainty as they wait for asylum decisions. The situation in Ceuta underscores the complex challenges faced by both migrants and the authorities in managing the humanitarian crisis.