Spanish North Africa exclave: After a migrant rush: “Historic” royal visit to Ceuta

It has been 19 years since the last visit of a Spanish king to Ceuta. Now Felipe is traveling to the African exclave. Two and a half months after a serious border crisis, his visit sends a political signal.

Ceuta. Two and a half months after the unprecedented influx of migrants, Spain's King Felipe VI. traveled to the North African exclave of Ceuta. Together with Queen Letizia, he wants to show the almost 85,000 residents the support of the crown. According to various estimates, up to 80,000 migrants from Morocco arrived in Ceuta at the end of July. Felipe described the onslaught as an “unacceptable violation of a Spanish and European border.”

According to state television broadcaster RTVE, thousands of people lined the streets shortly after their arrival and frenetically cheered the royal couple. “Felipe, Felipe!” and “Viva España!” was chanted. The King and Letizia shook numerous hands for about 20 minutes and Spanish flags were waved. RTVE described the visit as “historic”.

The last visit by a Spanish head of state to Ceuta and the neighboring exclave of Melilla was almost two decades ago. In 2007, the then King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía were there. Felipe and Letizia now want to stay overnight in Ceuta for the first time - a first since the end of the Franco dictatorship in the mid-1970s. The royals also want to visit Melilla on Wednesday.

After a reception in the town hall, the monarchs in Ceuta want, among other things, to visit a school and hold an interfaith memorial service at the Muslim cemetery for those people who died on July 30th and 31st while trying to reach Ceuta by sea. More than 80 bodies were recovered at that time. However, aid organizations assume a significantly higher number.

Since the mass rush, the situation in Ceuta has now eased significantly. After the last makeshift camps on the beaches were cleared, thousands of migrants are staying in a temporary reception center in the port area. Many had previously lived outdoors in difficult conditions for weeks. According to the government in Madrid, most of the arrivals returned to Morocco voluntarily.

The two Spanish exclaves on the North African coast are also claimed by Morocco. The serious border crisis in July put Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government under pressure and put additional strain on the already difficult relations between Madrid and Rabat. The monarchs' visit underlines Spain's claim to Ceuta and Melilla.