The King of Spain spends the night in Ceuta...in support of the population and a message of sovereignty

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On Tuesday, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia began an extraordinary visit to Ceuta, including an overnight stay in the city, in a move that combines solidarity with a population facing an ongoing migration crisis and confirmation of the Spanish presence in an area over which Morocco claims sovereignty.

The visit is the royal couple's first to Ceuta since Felipe took the throne in 2014, and will be followed by a visit to Melilla on Wednesday, according to ABC News.

The tour also comes about two and a half months after tens of thousands crossed the border from Morocco, amid criticism of the Spanish government's handling of the repercussions of the crisis.

While crowds of the King and Queen were welcomed with flags and cheers, before they headed to the municipal headquarters to meet with the city president, Juan Jesús Vivas, and local officials. While Felipe shook hands with them, some of the attendees chanted the common chant in stadiums: “I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish.”

According to the official program, the visit aims to demonstrate “the Crown’s support for Ceuta’s institutions and its community,” and includes meetings with community representatives and a visit to a multicultural school that respects different religions.

The couple also visits the Sidi Embarek Islamic Cemetery to honor the victims of the crossing attempts on July 30 and 31, where dozens of unidentified migrants were buried, in a gesture that adds a human dimension to the visit.

In July, Ceuta witnessed the crossing of about 80,000 migrants, in events that resulted in the deaths of more than 140 people. Although most of them returned, thousands remained in the city, which has a population of 84,000 people, and its president estimated that the number of those remaining may reach 15,000.

The crisis has raised social tensions, while residents feel abandoned by the national authorities. The Associated Press also monitored minor migrants living on the streets, and the government is investigating accusations of mistreatment of migrants at the hands of Spanish soldiers.

Immigration has become an electoral issue, which the opposition seeks to use against the progressive government before next month's elections, while the crisis has increased tension between the Christian and Islamic components in a city known for religious coexistence.

It is noteworthy that the last royal visit to the two cities dates back to November 2007, when Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia visited them, on a tour that sparked Morocco’s protest and the summoning of its ambassador to Madrid for consultations.

But the couple then returned to the Spanish mainland to spend the night, while former kings spent their nights on ships anchored in the port of Ceuta. Therefore, the decision to reside within the city gives the current visit additional privacy, and reinforces the message of closeness to the residents.

Madrid adheres to sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, while Rabat considers them remnants of the colonial presence and demands their restoration. Hence, the royal presence confirms the Spanish position, amid anticipation of any Moroccan reaction.

However, Spain needs Morocco's cooperation to control borders and manage migration. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has defended Rabat's role in resolving the crisis, while others question its ability to prevent mass crossings.

Among the messages of sovereignty and solidarity, addressing the crisis remains a test for the Spanish government and its relationship with Morocco, as alleviating the pressure on the city requires solutions that go beyond the symbolism of the royal visit, and respond to the concerns of the population and the needs of immigrants, while maintaining channels of coordination between the two countries.