Friday’s attempted mass entry of African migrants into the Spanish enclave of Melilla led to clashes “unprecedented” with the Moroccan police, who fear a spiral of violence. “It was war. We had stones to fight with the Moroccan soldiers who beat us with sticks”testifies, Saturday, a 20-year-old Sudanese detained in Melilla.
He was one of nearly 2,000 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who tried to force their way into the Spanish autonomous city of Melilla, located in Moroccan territory. At least 23 migrants died and 140 police officers were injured, according to Moroccan local authorities. This is the deadliest toll ever recorded during the many attempts by sub-Saharan migrants to enter Melilla and the neighboring Spanish enclave of Ceuta, which constitute the European Union’s only land borders with the African continent.
The Russian Threat in Africa
This is not the first time that migrants, who camp in precarious conditions in the nearby forest of Gourougou, have tried to reach the European “eldorado”. But this time the unprecedented violence of the assault marks a turning point, according to migration experts. On Sunday, Moroccan police announced that they had foiled a plan to storm the metal fence between the province of Tetouan and the enclave of Ceuta. Nearly 60 people were arrested, according to the General Directorate of National Security.
Host of the NATO summit this week, Spain wants to convince the Alliance of the strategic importance of taking an interest in its southern flank as well. “The threats come as much from the southern flank as from the eastern flank”insisted the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albarès, during a press conference.
“We have this war in Europe, but the situation in Africa is really worrying”added his Defense colleague, Margarita Robles, referring in particular to the jihadist groups active in the Sahel.
But with the conflict in Ukraine, on the eastern flank of the Alliance, Madrid will find it difficult to convince its partners. Also Spain agitates the Russian threat in Africa. “Unfortunately, threats from the south are increasingly Russian threats from the south”insisted Wednesday Mr. Albares, whose government denounces the growing presence of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group in Mali or in the Central African Republic.