Spain's king and queen visit Ceuta after summer migration crisis
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 08:14 · Archive
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are visiting the North African enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday following a mass migration crisis over the summer.
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are visiting Ceuta on Tuesday, a Spanish enclave in North Africa with a population of around 80,000. The visit follows a migration crisis in late July when more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco, reportedly spurred by false online rumours that Spain had opened its border. Although most migrants departed within days, between 10,000 and 15,000 remained in the city, sleeping on streets and in makeshift camps operated by NGOs and residents.
The crisis has strained Ceuta's social cohesion and exposed deep divisions between its Muslim and Christian communities, which are nearly equal in number. In Muslim-majority neighbourhoods, some local residents have sheltered women and children, while others have expressed frustration at the burden on public services. The Luna Blanca Muslim charity has been providing between 3,000 and 5,000 meals per day to migrants still in the city. On Sunday, over 350 police officers and soldiers cleared the last major informal settlement at El Guano, moving residents to reception centres.
The royal couple's first visit to the enclaves since 2007 comes ahead of Spain's general election on 29 November, with migration a major political issue. The visit also carries diplomatic significance given Morocco's territorial claims over the Spanish enclaves.
How it is being reported
- Ceuta awaits King Felipe after summer migration crisisCeuta braces for a symbolic royal visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia after a mass migration crisis strained the enclave’s social cohesion.Euronews · 13 Oct, 07:50
- Spain’s king and queen set to visit enclave Ceuta where migration crisis reveals riftsSpain's Ceuta, a city in North Africa, is facing a migration crisis that has exposed deep divisionsIndependent World · 12 Oct, 17:46
In this story: Spain · King Felipe VI · Queen Letizia · Ceuta · Morocco · Luna Blanca
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