Experts: Morocco may have triggered migrant crisis

Experts believe Morocco may have deliberately triggered the migrant crisis at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as a political tactic. Spanish authorities reported that approximately 60,000 individuals entered the small territory, which has just over 80,000 residents, within a single day on Friday, resulting in at least 67 deaths by drowning. Around 50,000 of these migrants have since returned to Morocco.

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They want to show that European countries are vulnerable and that their interests must be taken into account.

Jan Eliasson, former UN undersecretary-general and Swedish foreign minister, asserts that Morocco orchestrated the situation to send a message to European countries. He suggests Morocco aims to demonstrate European vulnerability and assert its interests. Eliasson links the migration chaos to a recent visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to Algeria, a rival of Morocco.

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Everything concerning the relationship between Algeria and Morocco is sensitive, and Morocco wanted to show that they had a card to play.

Norwegian migration expert Jan-Paul Brekke from the Institute for Social Research shares this assessment, suggesting the border guards on the Moroccan side may have deliberately looked away or been absent. Former Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt also indicated that Moroccan authorities appear to have managed the events, with evidence suggesting they transported people to the border. However, Spanish authorities have not confirmed this, instead praising their cooperation with Morocco.

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It can happen because the guards on the Moroccan side of the fence look away and are absent.