Full Breakdown
Ceuta’s Summer Migration Surge and the Final Camp Eviction Ahead of the Royal Visit
By Drooid · · How we work
Mass Influx and Police Eviction
On July 30, more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, the largest entry recorded in recent years. Most returned within days, but thousands remained, establishing makeshift tent settlements on beaches and the Guano esplanade.
On October 11, Spanish National Police, supported by the Civil Guard, riot units and the Army, cleared the last large camp at the old El Guano factory. Around 300 officers and soldiers dismantled tents, grouped migrants and transferred them by bus to the Temporary Attention Center for Foreigners (CATE). Local media reported roughly 200 migrants were still present when the operation began, while other residents said the number had fallen to about 400 before police arrived.
Historical and Geopolitical Context
Ceuta, known in Arabic as Sebta, has been under Spanish sovereignty since the Portuguese conquest in 1415 and the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668. Morocco claims the city as occupied territory, a dispute that resurfaces whenever migration spikes at the enclave’s external Schengen border.
Scale of the Crisis
- 70,000+ arrivals on July 30 (Reuters).
- 3,000–5,000 meals per day distributed by the Luna Blanca charity.
- 11,000 returns recorded by the Spanish government as of October 8; estimates of migrants still in Ceuta range from 9,000 (regional executive) to 15,000 (city president).
- ~100 minors were identified in the Guano camp and transferred separately during the eviction.
Official Statements & Responses
Halima Ahmed, spokesperson for the Luna Blanca charity, said the organization had been delivering thousands of meals daily and that volunteers had faced threats for assisting migrants.
Local politician Mohamed Mustafa warned that the image of coexistence “is a mirage,” noting that the summer surge had exposed long-standing social divisions.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Mohamed Susi, a resident of the El Principe neighbourhood, expressed frustration: “What do they want? That we feed all of Ceuta?”
- Francisco Luna, owner of an auto-repair shop, described the atmosphere as “terrible” and questioned the loyalty of some Muslims who protect migrants.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on how many migrants remain in Ceuta after the evictions. The regional executive cites 9,000 still present, while the city president estimates 15,000. The number transferred from the Guano camp also varies: Ceuta Actualidad reported nearly 200 transfers, whereas RTVE placed the pre-eviction camp population at around 400.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What do they want? That we feed all of Ceuta?” — Mohamed Susi
- “We have always lived together well,” — Francisco Luna, spokesperson
- “The image of coexistence is a mirage,” — Mohamed Mustafa
What’s Next
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are scheduled to visit Ceuta on October 13, the first royal trip to the enclave since 2007. The itinerary includes a tribute to the more than 140 migrants who died attempting to cross the border in July. The visit is expected to draw international attention to the enclave’s migration challenges and the broader EU-Morocco relationship.