The Spanish city of Ceuta, a territory on the northern African coast, is marking its official holiday under the shadow of a major humanitarian crisis that has strained resources, angered residents, and become a focal point for political conflict.
Normally a day of local celebration, Sept. 2 in Ceuta has become a backdrop for protests and accusations following an unprecedented influx of migrants in late July. Tens of thousands of people, many of them from Morocco, poured into the small Spanish exclave, with at least 90 reported deaths during the journey. While most were returned to Morocco, thousands, including approximately 1,200 minors, remained in Ceuta weeks later.
Local authorities in Ceuta, a city with a population of about 84,000, criticized the central government for allegedly ignoring warning signs before the border was breached. Ceuta's regional leader, Juan Jesús Vivas, described the event not as a migratory crisis but as a "violation of Spain's territorial integrity."
The opposition Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party have amplified the Ceuta crisis, using it as a political weapon against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's left-wing government. Protests organized by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, but promoted by the PP and Vox, were scheduled in Madrid and over 200 other towns.
However, Spain's minister of territorial policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, suggested the protests were politically motivated, aimed at attacking the government rather than supporting Ceuta's residents. In response to the crisis, the Spanish government allocated 309 million euros (approximately $357 million) to aid Ceuta's social services, support its economy, and enhance security, with a focus on housing migrants.
Prime Minister Sánchez has defended Morocco's role, stating that Moroccan authorities were swift in assisting with the return of most migrants and that no intelligence suggested their participation in facilitating the mass crossing. Sánchez pointed to a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and a disinformation campaign on social media as factors that encouraged the rapid border crossing.
Sánchez also accused social media accounts linked to Russia and Israel, along with right-wing groups, of exploiting and amplifying the crisis. Both the Russian and Israeli governments have denied these allegations, with Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating there was "nothing to talk about" without concrete evidence.
Many migrants, including unaccompanied minors, have been left sleeping on streets and beaches, awaiting solutions. "We're suffering and we want to get to Europe or find a solution right now," said Moroccan migrant Nebil Tazi, who has been waiting for a month. "Here, we're all sleeping on the beach and having a really hard time."
Ceuta's regional leader, Vivas, urged the central government to reinforce the border with Morocco, arguing that reliance on neighborly cooperation was insufficient and could lead to migration being used as a political tool. Prime Minister Sánchez stated his government is dedicating all resources to restore tranquility for Ceuta's residents.
The holiday in Ceuta commemorates Sept. 2, 1415, when Portuguese soldiers claimed the territory, which later passed into Spanish hands in 1580.