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 grant them asylum instead of deporting them to Morocco. These migrants were part of the 5,000 to 8,000 individuals who remained in Ceuta after a large-scale border crossing event two weeks ago, which witnessed over 72,000 people entering the small territory with a population of around 80,000. Most of the migrants were living in poor conditions on El Trampolin beach or on the outskirts of the city while hoping for an opportunity to travel to mainland Europe.
Ayoub Elarroud, hailing from Tetouan, Morocco, expressed the hardships they faced, sleeping by the sea in cold and unsanitary conditions, with authorities preventing them from accessing the city center. The protesters carried Spanish flags and banners with messages like “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human,” accompanied by chants such as “We’re tired” and “We need a solution.”
Meanwhile, some migrants were seen washing clothes or fishing with makeshift bamboo rods on the rocky shores behind the demonstration site. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that irregularly entered migrants would not be permitted to remain in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in exceptional cases of extreme vulnerability.
The strained health services in Ceuta were highlighted by Enrique Roviralta, the head of the city’s medical board, who mentioned that the limited healthcare workers were overburdened, with outbreaks of infectious diseases and an increase in violence-related injuries. Health Minister Monica Garcia denied claims of a collapsed health system but acknowledged the pressure on local services.
Many Moroccan migrants cited poor working conditions in their country as the driving force behind their migration. Mohammed Ouanzar, an automation specialist, shared his struggles with low wages, while Emmanuel, an electrician from Nigeria, embarked on a perilous journey to provide a better life for his children. Others, like Mohammad Ismail Hossain from Bangladesh and Ousmane from Senegal, shared their challenging journeys and reasons for seeking asylum.
The migrants in Ceuta continue to face uncertainty and challenges, with humanitarian organizations and authorities stretched to their limits in addressing the ongoing situation.
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