We couldn't even find bread': Moroccan migrants recount time in Spain's Ceuta enclave

What the report says

Moroccan migrants who entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta described harsh conditions, including hunger and a lack of shelter, after crossing in hopes of better opportunities. According to Anadolu Agency Africa, the accounts reflect a rapid reversal in expectations as the enclave faced a large influx of people and then a growing return movement back to Morocco.

The report says more than 48,000 people have headed back to Morocco. The migrants’ comments centered on basic daily hardships rather than the promise of work or stability they had expected when crossing into the Spanish-administered territory. The situation underscores how migration surges can quickly become humanitarian pressure points when reception capacity is limited.

Ceuta, one of Spain’s two enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, has long been a focal point for cross-border movement and political sensitivity between the two countries. In general, such crossings often reflect a mix of economic need, family ties and the search for safety or opportunity, though the specific motives of the people quoted in this report were not fully detailed.

The episode matters because it highlights both the vulnerability of migrants in transit and the strain on border management in a small but strategically significant territory. Anadolu Agency Africa’s reporting suggests that immediate living conditions, rather than the prospect of entry, can quickly shape whether migrants remain or return.