Morocco faces political fallout over deadly Ceuta migration crisis

A mass attempt to cross the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta resulted in a deadly humanitarian crisis, with authorities reporting around a hundred deaths – 88 confirmed by Spain and eleven by Morocco. Former Moroccan prime minister Abdelilah Benkirán condemned the tragedy, questioning the government's responsibility and calling for an investigative commission. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who had departed for a private flight to Mallorca during the crisis, returned to Casablanca after two days amid intense criticism over his absence and the handling of the emergency. Opposition parties, including the USFP and PPS, accused the government of silence, poor socioeconomic policies and a failure to address the root causes that drive thousands of young Moroccans to risk the crossing. The Moroccan Ministry of Interior defended the security forces’ professionalism and blamed misinformation and trafficking networks for the surge, while the ruling PJD also faced scrutiny. The incident has intensified internal political debate and highlighted longstanding structural challenges in Morocco.

The crisis coincided with celebrations of King Mohammed VI’s throne day, further amplifying public scrutiny of the government's capacity to manage migration and maintain public order.