Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, has called on the European Union to adopt a tougher stance toward Morocco and to finance border security, warning that the Spanish exclave is on the verge of collapse after a mass influx of migrants in late July. In a break with Madrid's cooperative approach, Vivas accused Rabat of pursuing a deliberate strategy to destabilize the city.
Speaking in Brussels after meetings with three EU commissioners and lawmakers, Vivas said Ceuta is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and security crisis. He stressed that thousands of third-country nationals, including unaccompanied minors, remain in the territory, and that the city's resources are stretched to breaking point.
“Ceuta is on the brink of collapse,” Vivas told reporters at the European Parliament, where he received applause from members of the European People's Party. He called on the EU to make clear to Morocco that any fruitful cooperation must begin with respect for Europe's external borders.
A break with Spain's stance
The Ceuta leader directly challenged the Spanish government of Pedro Sánchez, accusing it of failing to respond adequately before, during, and after the 30 July incident, which left more than 150 people dead at sea. Spain has not blamed Morocco for the surge, instead pointing to social media disinformation and human traffickers as the main drivers. Madrid continues to describe Rabat as a “trusted partner” in managing irregular migration, a position echoed by the European Commission.
Vivas questioned why the government refuses to hold Morocco responsible, whether directly or through inaction, for what he called an “invasion.” He referred to a leaked police report suggesting Moroccan forces may have played a role in the crisis. “The government should explain why it refuses to hold Morocco responsible,” he said.
He claimed that Rabat maintains a “policy of harassment” toward Ceuta, and that residents now live in fear of another sudden mass crossing. The city, along with Melilla, forms Europe's only land border with Africa, and Vivas argued that both should receive a “special status” within the EU, with migration rules adapted to their unique circumstances.
Vivas stopped short of calling for the suspension of EU funds to Morocco, a demand made by Spain's far-right Vox party. The EU is currently financing Rabat's migration management strategy with €160 million until 2027. Instead, he requested financial support for border infrastructure and for managing the humanitarian fallout of the July influx.
During his meetings with Commissioners Andrius Kubilius, Magnus Brunner, and Dubravka Šuica, Vivas said he received expressions of support but no concrete commitments. He also called for a permanent presence in Ceuta of the EU asylum agency (EUAA) and Frontex, the bloc's border agency.
The situation in Ceuta has drawn wider attention, with Spain's top court opening a criminal probe into the migrant surge. The incident has also raised questions about the EU's broader migration policy and its relationship with Morocco, a key partner in curbing irregular crossings.
As the EU debates its future approach to migration, Vivas's appeal highlights the tension between member states' desire for cooperation with North African countries and the need to protect the bloc's external borders. His warning that Ceuta is on the brink serves as a stark reminder of the human and political stakes involved.
