Spanish deputies were in Melilla on Monday to investigate the tragedy of June 24 in which at least 23 sub-Saharan migrants died. Based on the information gathered, they confirm that several of the migrants died on the Spanish side of the border.
The entry and exit control system planned at the borders of Ceuta and Melilla with Morocco will be operational in May, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior announced.
The BBC channel reveals in a documentary published on November 1 the responsibility of Spain in the Melilla tragedy that had caused the death of more than 20 sub-Saharan migrants (mostly Sudanese) on June 24.
The President of Melilla, Eduardo Castro, reiterated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, his fears about Morocco’s persistent annexationist intentions on Ceuta and Melilla.
Intelligence expert Fernando Cocho has stated that he has discovered in reports the existence of an agreement between Spain and Morocco to establish a kind of co-sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla by 2030.
Spain has failed to convince NATO to ensure the protection of Ceuta and Melilla in the event of an attack, let alone to have the Alliance’s ships transit through the ports of the autonomous cities to carry out technical stopovers or refueling.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has reaffirmed his country’s position on the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, stating that "the two cities are Spanish, period."
Morocco is occupying its territory less than 500 meters from the no man’s land with Melilla. The kingdom is building residences and even a school in this area, which is causing a grating of teeth on the Spanish side.
Spain has just removed health checks at the border posts of Ceuta and Melilla for travelers from non-European Union countries, including Morocco.
The use of jet skis by migrants to illegally enter Spain from the Moroccan coasts has increased in recent months. The country’s security forces are having difficulty detecting these craft on radar and thus arresting these migrants and human traffickers who transport them.
The Spanish Minister of Labor, Yolanda Diaz, presented on Tuesday in the Council of Ministers a bill to grant an unemployment benefit to border workers in Ceuta and Melilla.
Spain fears a massive assault of migrants in Ceuta and Melilla from Morocco, a few weeks before the high-level meeting between the two countries announced for November.