2 million for a better fence

The incidents regarding African immigrants in Spanish exclaves Melilla and Ceuta made officials concerned about border safety. The Spanish government recently agreed to redirect 2.1 million euros to improve security.

These two small Spanish exclaves hold the only land border the European Union has with Africa (Morocco). The big problems started in early 2014 when a few waves of illegal immigrants rushed the walls and climbed over the six meter triple border fence. The land is considered by illegal African immigrants a gateway to Europe where they seek a better life.

The latest incidents when 1,000 immigrants tried to jump over the fence in Melilla made Spanish officials doubt its border security. The government will now redirect in excess of 2 million euros to boost security around these two exclaves. Most of the money will be used to boost the fences and nets.

“The goal is to reduce as quickly as possible the assaults of the border and limit the immediate risks,” the government stated. Spain has even asked the European Union for funds in order to provide better security for these two EU land borders.

The figures are worryingly. Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandes said about one month ago almost 40,000 illegal migrants tried to reach Melilla and Ceuta in 2013. This is more than half the total population of both exclaves.