There has been widespread rejection of attempts by right-wing groups in Europe to blame Morocco for last month’s invasion of Ceuta by tens of thousands of migrants.
Anti-migrant pressure groups accused Morocco of relaxing security at its borders to benefit politically from the chaos that followed, when more than 70,000 people reportedly swam and marched into the enclave, overwhelming the border and outnumbering police officers. However, human rights groups and activist movements have hit back, criticising what they describe as Europe’s historical extractive dealings with Africa, which they argue have contributed to instability and state fragility across the continent.
While hundreds of Western companies operate on the African continent, enterprises involved in the extraction of natural resources have faced some of the strongest criticism. Many believe these companies could use more of the substantial profits they make to develop host communities.
The refusal or failure of large multinational companies to invest in the communities where they extract minerals, while paying taxes without resorting to avoidance strategies, has fuelled a new form of resistance. More African countries are now introducing legislation aimed at enforcing greater local ownership and beneficiation.
The Sahel is the latest region to radically change its approach to foreign investment, with Burkina Faso leading calls for greater local beneficiation of its mineral resources, including lithium, gold, silver and other precious metals.
Human rights groups argue that by investing in the communities from which they profit, European countries would reduce the need for aid and help address some of the conditions driving millions of Africans to migrate in search of better opportunities.
Right-wing groups have put pressure on the Spanish government to single out Morocco as responsible for the incident, but there is no evidence to support the claim. Authorities in both countries have instead identified social media misinformation campaigns and manipulation by cross-border trafficking syndicates as major factors behind the incident.
The episode has brought renewed attention to the debate over the extractive nature of European countries’ policies towards Africa, which human rights groups and global policy-monitoring agencies have long argued contribute to the conditions driving Africans from their countries, where poverty levels remain high.
Even within Europe’s right-wing movements, questions are emerging about the continent’s contribution to the factors driving migration, including extreme poverty and a lack of opportunities for millions of Africans. This comes as far-right groups continue to pressure European countries to adopt tougher immigration policies.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been among the European leaders to call for an end to what she describes as Western exploitation of Africa, pointing to mechanisms such as the CFA franc — a currency arrangement linked to the French Treasury — as an ongoing structural constraint that, critics argue, benefits European interests.
“More than half of Africa’s population is young, and if we continue to extract resources without investing in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and vocational training, desperation will rise and we will continue having hopelessness and mass migration. Something has to be done.”
No fewer than 14 West African countries still use the CFA franc, with their reserves held in Paris, while French and other European companies continue to benefit significantly from the region’s mineral wealth.
Some European politicians and development experts have called for an end to what they describe as predatory policies towards Africa.
The South African government is among those who believe both Morocco and Spain are being scapegoated by Western forces seeking to weaponise immigration for political gain.
“I think that you could see particular trends where migration issues are being weaponised for political purposes. The events in Spain are unique. Even though Ceuta is an enclave, it is Spanish territory, but it is an enclave on African soil, and it has been used, in the assessment of many analysts, to embarrass Spain over stances it has taken on the geopolitical agenda,” said South Africa’s Director-General for International Relations, Zane Dangor, during a recent media briefing.
African countries are increasingly seeking to break free from the influence of their former colonial powers by, among other measures, insisting on fair trade rather than aid, which critics argue has at times been used to destabilise the continent and suppress the aspirations of poorer populations.