The Mayor of Melilla Demands that Morocco Create a Neutral Zone that is 500 Meters Wide

Following a catastrophic migrant surge that targeted Ceuta, Juan Jose Imbroda, the mayor-president of Melilla, Spain’s North African enclave, has called on Morocco to create a 500-meter-wide neutral zone along the borders of both Melilla and the neighboring Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.

Imbroda stated at a press conference on Monday that new border security measures were required for both Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two autonomous cities on Moroccan territory, due to the recent surge of migrants entering Ceuta.

About 73,500 undocumented migrants were deported from Ceuta to Morocco that same day, according to Spanish authorities. Local businesses have started operating again, and public order in the area is gradually improving. Additionally, during the pandemonium, at least 88 migrants perished while trying to swim into the enclave.

In the meantime, Morocco is taking legal steps to address the underlying cause of the border instability. Hearings against 25 people who are allegedly responsible for the widespread unlawful crossings and border disturbances that targeted Ceuta have begun in a Moroccan lower court. Seven suspects are charged with armed resistance to police, assault on authorities, and destruction of public infrastructure, according to the prosecution. Two more people are charged with illegal passenger transportation, unlicensed transportation, and migrant smuggling. The case is still being investigated.

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