EU migration chief claims Ceuta border crisis caused by criminal smuggling networks, disinformation

European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner stated that criminal smuggling networks and disinformation on social media fueled the recent crisis at Spain's Ceuta border. His comments came after an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers convened to address the incident.

Brunner declined to comment on Morocco's potential role, citing an ongoing investigation in Spain. However, he praised Rabat's cooperation with Spanish authorities on migrant returns. The EU ministers urged closer cooperation with countries outside the bloc to control irregular migration and prevent a recurrence of the surge, which began on Thursday at one of the EU's two land borders with Africa, both shared with Morocco.

The surge prompted discussions among ministers on enhanced intelligence sharing, closer monitoring of social media to detect migration surges earlier, and strengthening the EU's external borders. Approximately 75 migrants died attempting the crossing, with many drowning or being crushed in the chaos.

Some analysts have questioned whether Moroccan authorities allowed the crossings, recalling previous instances where Rabat was accused of using migration as political leverage. The last major surge in May 2021 was widely interpreted as retaliation for Spain hosting a Western Sahara independence leader.

Brunner also noted that the EU is negotiating a comprehensive partnership agreement with Morocco. The bloc increasingly relies on migration agreements with North African countries, but critics argue this approach makes the EU vulnerable to pressure from transit nations that can control migrant flows.

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There is an ongoing investigation of the matter (Morocco's role in the massive break) in Spain. So I ... can't actually comment on that any further but there was of course some disinformation by the smugglers and the human traffickers, that's what we know for sure.