By Ahmed Eljechtimi
RABAT, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Morocco’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that no evidence established involvement of Rabat in the mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July, adding it rejected being drawn into Spain’s domestic political battles.
More than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, fueling criticism in Spain of both Rabat and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
While most have since returned, over 100 died according to NGOs. Local authorities say thousands, including unaccompanied minors, remain in the enclave, living in makeshift camps or on the streets and beaches, fuelling near-daily protests by residents angry at the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis.
Spain’s opposition parties have since targeted Pedro Sanchez’s government’s relationship with Morocco and accused Rabat of facilitating or orchestrating the crossing.
“Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts, or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?” the ministry said in a statement.
“Why are illegal migrants not being returned, even though the Moroccan government has officially committed to readmitting them? Why are unaccompanied minors being kept away from their families, when Morocco has urgently requested their return?” the ministry said.
Reports released by the Spanish government on Wednesday showed that Spanish intelligence and security agencies had warned both Madrid and Moroccan counterparts about the possibility of a mass crossing.
“Morocco refuses to be used as a pre-election political pawn, nor does it accept being made the scapegoat in political score-settling,” the ministry said. National elections are due in Spain by mid-2027.
The ministry highlighted the close security, migration and economic cooperation established between Rabat and Madrid since Sanchez backed in 2022 Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
Morocco does not recognise Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and the other enclave of Melilla.
(Reporting by Ahmed El Jechtimi, additional reporting by Aguado Jesus in Madrid;; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )
