Morocco has broken its official silence over the mass migrant crossing into Ceuta, insisting it will not be used as a ‘scapegoat’ or ‘pawn’ in Spain’s political battles.

Rabat’s Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement accusing some Spanish political and media circles of attempting to exploit Morocco for domestic political purposes.

The intervention is the first official reaction since the crossings triggered a humanitarian crisis in the Spanish enclave and heightened tensions between Madrid and Rabat.

Between 70,000 and 80,000 people are estimated to have crossed irregularly on July 30 and 31, most of them by swimming.

Civil organisations estimate that at least 141 people died, while the vast majority of those who entered subsequently returned to Morocco. Several thousand are believed to remain in Ceuta.

‘Morocco refuses to be used as a pre-election political pawn, nor will it accept being the scapegoat in political score-settling,’ the Foreign Ministry said.

‘No evidence’ of Moroccan involvement

Rabat said it regretted that ‘some Spanish political and media circles persist in exploiting the Kingdom for internal political purposes’.

It also took aim at established Spanish political parties, without naming them.

‘It is particularly regrettable that long-standing political parties, despite their extensive experience in government, have fallen into this quagmire where irrational and populist escalation prevails over common sense,’ the statement said.

Morocco also criticised what it described as misguided initiatives by Spanish legislative and judicial institutions, warning that oversimplification and ‘accusatory rhetoric’ were contributing to a ‘strategy of fear’ harmful to both countries.

Rabat then directly challenged accusations that Moroccan authorities played a role in the crisis.

‘Why continue making accusations against Morocco when there is no evidence, facts or reports demonstrating the involvement of the Moroccan authorities?’ the ministry asked.

However, Morocco said the events themselves warranted a full investigation.

It described what happened in July as ‘regrettable events’ and said an investigation should establish the circumstances, identify any interference, expose any manipulation and ensure it could not happen again.

Morocco asks why migrants have not been returned

Rabat also turned the pressure back on Spain over the thousands of migrants who remain in the enclave.

The ministry asked why irregular migrants had not been returned despite what it described as the Moroccan government’s official commitment to readmit them.

It also questioned why unaccompanied Moroccan minors remained separated from their families when Rabat had requested their urgent return.

The answers to those questions, it said, lie with the ‘competent Spanish authorities’.

Despite the combative language, Morocco stressed the importance of its relationship with Spain and pointed to the rapprochement between the two countries since their 2022 joint declaration.

Rabat said the relationship had since been built around ‘mutual respect, mutual trust and continuous dialogue’, producing tangible results in areas including the economy, security and migration.

It described migration cooperation between the two countries as having traditionally been ‘coordinated and effective’.

Warning over future relations

But the ministry also issued a stark warning about what continued deterioration in relations could mean.

‘Geographical proximity is an immutable reality,’ it said. ‘It is political leaders who, with courage and vision, turn it into an advantage for the future.

‘Strategic blindness, on the contrary, will transform this advantage into a source of chronic distrust and recurring tensions.’