Spain has privately urged its European counterparts to refrain from publicly criticizing Morocco concerning its involvement in the Ceuta migration crisis. This appeal was made during an online meeting of Interior Ministers on Tuesday, as many officials questioned the rapid influx of approximately 72,000 individuals into the Spanish North African enclave in such a short timeframe.

Madrid’s request, aimed at tempering any negative rhetoric towards Rabat, underscores the European Union’s commitment to preserving its relationship with Morocco. Rabat remains a crucial partner for managing future migration flows into Europe and has long been a key ally for the EU in counter-terrorism efforts and intelligence sharing, vital for African politics and security.

When questioned about accountability for the crisis during a press conference on Tuesday, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated, “There is not necessarily someone to blame.” Apart from a subtle hint from the Defense Minister, Spain has largely avoided public criticism of Rabat.

A Western government official indicated that Morocco had, at least tacitly, sanctioned the influx into Ceuta, suggesting the incident was likely intended as a political message to Madrid.

The situation was further complicated by false claims circulating on social media. These allegations suggested a Spanish Supreme Court ruling had prohibited Spanish authorities from carrying out