Spain has declared the migrant crisis in Ceuta a ‘matter of national security’ while establishing a centralised command structure to coordinate the response.

The declaration was made in a royal decree published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Wednesday.

It comes as authorities have been struggling to cope since more than 70,000 migrants stormed across the border from Morocco on July 30.

The extraordinary measure came into force on August 26 and will initially remain in place until December 31, although it can be extended or brought to an end earlier depending on how the situation develops.

The decree says the crisis is ‘altering the normal functioning of public administrations’ and has exceeded the ordinary capacity of authorities to manage accommodation, assistance and public security.

It describes the situation as having an ‘indeterminate temporary duration’ and says a coordinated mobilisation of resources is necessary.

The government will also immediately inform the Congress of Deputies about the measures being taken and the evolution of the crisis.

Single authority established

At the heart of the new system is the creation of a Functional Authority, effectively establishing a single coordinating command for the resources mobilised in response to the crisis.

It will operate under the direction of the Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Angel Victor Torres.

The authority will be responsible for directing resources deployed in Ceuta and guaranteeing the continued operation of essential public services.

It will also coordinate logistical support for any reception centres established elsewhere in Spain as part of the response.

However, the decree makes clear that the new authority does not replace the existing legal powers of other institutions or alter established chains of command.

Instead, its role is to ensure the different administrations and agencies involved operate as part of a coordinated national response.

The National Security Council will meanwhile assume responsibility for the overall direction and coordination of the management of the crisis.

Government can extend measures beyond Ceuta

The initial declaration runs until the end of 2026, but Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will have the power to extend it following a report from the National Security Council.

Significantly, the decree also allows the government to modify the material or geographical scope of the declaration if circumstances require it.

That means measures associated with the national security response could potentially be extended beyond Ceuta.

Conversely, the declaration can be terminated early if the circumstances that justified it improve.

Government departments ordered to cooperate

The decree places a formal obligation on public administrations, bodies and entities to cooperate with the response.

They may be required to provide human and material resources under their control to help manage the situation.