Facing the Unrelenting Challenge: Illegal Immigration in Ceuta and Melilla and Efforts to Combat it

Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish cities located on the African continent, have been facing illegal immigration for over 20 years. Despite efforts to combat it using rigid border fences, many migrants have managed to enter through violent mass attacks, leading to injuries and fatalities on both sides.

On Wednesday, an estimated 200 men from countries south of the Sahara attempted to enter EU territory illegally via Morocco. The use of force to prevent illegal entries raises concerns about human rights violations, but Spain’s border control measures are supported and monitored by the EU’s Frontex agency.

Ceuta is surrounded by 10-meter high double steel fences, while Melilla has 12-kilometer long fences equipped with video surveillance, infrared cameras, motion detectors and other security measures to deter border crossings. However, some migrants manage to enter the cities by sea, mainly from the coasts of Mauritania and Senegal to the Canary Islands.

The relationship between Spain and Morocco plays a crucial role in combating illegal immigration as Morocco’s cooperation is essential in preventing unauthorized entries into Spain. Last year, the number of illegal immigrants entering Spain from Africa increased significantly with over 57,000 arrivals. However, only about 1,200 of them crossed the land border to Ceuta or Melilla. Cooperation between countries and effective border control measures are essential to address ongoing challenges posed by illegal immigration in these regions.