Following the sudden arrival of thousands of migrants crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Moroccan authorities have announced their willingness to assist in the repatriation of unaccompanied minors still stranded there.

Morocco has taken a decisive stance. Rabat is prepared to cooperate in facilitating the return of unaccompanied minors who crossed into Ceuta after tens of thousands of migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco in recent days. However, the process faces significant legal hurdles on the Spanish side, according to a diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The North African nation has pledged to identify and document these minors with the goal of ensuring their safe return home. Morocco also expressed its commitment to working alongside Spanish and European partners to achieve this objective, as confirmed by the official Moroccan news agency, MAP.

Yet, these partners must first overcome internal legal and administrative obstacles that currently impede the repatriation process. The diplomatic source emphasized that both legislative frameworks and bureaucratic procedures in Spain and the EU need to be streamlined to allow for smoother operations.

Record-breaking migration surge into Ceuta

In a span of just a few days at the end of July, nearly 72,000 migrants illegally entered Ceuta—a figure unmatched in recent history. Spanish Interior Ministry data reveals that 70,000 individuals have already been returned to Morocco. Notably, children left behind in Ceuta cannot be deported due to international child protection laws.

Local Ceuta authorities report that of the approximately 2,000 people still present in the enclave, over 1,000 are unaccompanied minors. Their exact nationalities remain undisclosed. Aid organizations have urgently warned about the vulnerabilities these minors face, citing risks such as human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.

Tragically, at least 80 individuals have lost their lives, with most fatalities occurring at sea. Meanwhile, Moroccan officials have confirmed that 11 deaths occurred along the Moroccan border region during the crossing attempts.