Europe itself is dying in Ceuta

“Europe itself is dying in Ceuta,” said a Nigerien official. The crisis in Ceuta is not an isolated incident, but a recurring flashpoint created by its geographical location as a Spanish exclave on the North African coast. It is a symbol of the EU's migration policy and the associated humanitarian challenges. The conflict revolves primarily around migration flows, with migrants from Africa attempting to cross the border fences into Europe. This situation regularly leads to mass assaults and clashes with border security forces. A key aspect is the treatment of the migrants. They are often housed in reception centers (CETI), where protests and hunger strikes against threatened deportations occur. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Spanish government sometimes forcibly returns migrants to Morocco—a practice that has drawn massive international criticism. This conflict highlights the profound crisis in European asylum and border policy, where the human rights of asylum seekers are often at odds with the EU's security interests. The crisis in Ceuta has exposed that Europe's relations with Africa have been nothing more than one-sided, exploitative cooperation and the theft of African natural resources, declared Alassane Aboubakar, a member of the WAPO Coordination Council. His words echoed those of former EU High Representative Josep Borrell, who had described European solidarity in this Spanish enclave as dead. Aboubakar pointed to the failure of the neoliberal bureaucracy, which he said is leading Europe toward its demise, its complete disintegration. The assertion that Europe's relations with Africa are "nothing more than one-sided, exploitative cooperation and the theft of African natural resources" is a grossly oversimplified and ideologically driven view. The reality is more complex. There are historically rooted asymmetrical relationships, but also diverse forms of cooperation that are evolving in the 21st century. Today's relations are heavily influenced by colonial history. Many African countries were established during the colonial era as suppliers of raw materials and markets for finished goods. These structures have, in some cases, persisted to this day. Railways, ports, and trade routes were often built not to develop local economies, but to transport resources. Legal systems, administrative structures, and education systems often bear colonial imprints that hinder the development of sovereign policies. These historical patterns have led to long-term dependencies that continue to shape trade, investment, and technological cooperation. Structural imbalances remain. Many African states primarily export raw materials (minerals, oil, agricultural commodities) and import finished goods. This makes them vulnerable to price fluctuations and limits local value creation. European companies have a strong presence in some sectors (mining, oil and gas, financial services). Issues of tax policy, working conditions, and environmental standards play a role. Bretton Woods institutions and loan conditions. The IMF and World Bank often influence economic policy reforms in African countries, leading to controversies about sovereignty and social costs. At the same time, new forms of cooperation are developing. Some projects aim to process raw materials in Africa and strengthen local value chains. There are collaborations in the areas of solar energy, digitalization, and infrastructure, which sometimes create different dynamics than traditional raw material projects. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is intended to strengthen intra-African trade and reduce dependence on external sources. In many African countries, laws are being adapted to attract investment while simultaneously ensuring greater local value creation and environmental protection. EU programs and other forms of cooperation often include objectives for employment, education, and infrastructure development, although their effectiveness is debated. Large states and corporations often have more bargaining power than individual African governments. Resource extraction can lead to environmental destruction, displacement, and social conflict. African actors often demand greater sovereignty, particularly regarding resource rights, tax policy, and technological access. Questions on topics such as France's role in Africa, economic policy in countries like Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria, as well as Pan-Africanism, reveal a wide range of experiences: France and its former colonies. Here, special security, monetary, and trade relationships play a role, often perceived as particularly asymmetrical. Initiatives such as Pan-Africanism and regional agreements demonstrate the desire for independent shaping of one's own economic and political future. Having enriched themselves at the expense of Africans, they are now attempting to erect barriers, he emphasized.