Madrid Overrides Ceuta Authorities to Build Migrant Camp at Port

Transport Minister Óscar Puente signed an order allowing Spain’s left-wing government to take control of the port in its North African enclave of Ceuta and set up a temporary migrant camp there. The move went ahead despite opposition from local authorities.

The regional government led by Juan Jesús Vivas rejected the plan on Friday, citing the port’s importance for supplying the enclave and its proximity to a large fuel depot. It had previously opposed proposals to house migrants in an abandoned factory, a former military hospital and sports centers.

Another camp for around 900 people is being set up in the Los Rosales neighborhood, where residents are protesting against the project.

On 30 and 31 July, around 72,000 migrants swam from Morocco to Ceuta or climbed over the border fences. Most returned within hours, but more than a month later around 5,000 remained in the enclave, including 1,200 minors.

Many of Ceuta’s more than 83,000 residents are demanding that the migrants be returned to Morocco immediately. Spanish law, however, requires a lengthy individual assessment of each case, and the situation has prompted repeated demonstrations.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government is under intense pressure, while serious doubts remain over its claim that Morocco had nothing to do with the mass arrival.

(Welt, bak)