Moroccan archbishop says surprise Ceuta crossing reflects complex landscape

This post was originally published on this site.

An estimated 80,000 people flooded across the border from Morocco to Ceuta, a Spanish exclave in Morocco, in a matter of hours on July 30, overwhelming the city of just under 83,000 inhabitants.

It is not entirely clear what caused the mass border crossing. The vast majority of the undocumented migrants returned to Morocco after Spanish authorities made it clear that they would not be permitted to stay. But around 7,000 have remained in Ceuta, including an estimated 1,000 minors.

The crisis sent the Spanish religious and political worlds into turmoil, with some in the Church – including the president of the bishops’ conference – calling the crisis an “invasion,” while others focused on the humanitarian response.

The Pillar spoke with Archbishop Emilio Rocha, OFM, of Tangier about the unexpected mass exodus and return of people last week, the situation on the ground in Morocco now, and the broader situation surrounding migration in the region.

The interview was conducted in Spanish and has been edited for length and clarity.