Bram Frouws retweeted
My latest piece, on UNHCR's uncertain future.
The UN Refugee Agency Is Reckoning With an ‘Unprecedented Weakness’ passblue.com/2026/10/08/the…
2
9
38
4,185
Bram Frouws retweeted
“The narrow stretch of water between Yemen & Djibouti isn't only a chokepoint for global trade. It's also one of the busiest irregular migration corridors in the world.”
Fighting reaches Yemen’s coast, Yemenis flee to Djibouti, as people were crossing the other way.
f.mtr.cool/gnmt858hxc
#MMR2026
Fighting reaches Yemen’s coast, Yemenis flee to Djibouti, as people were crossing the other way.
f.mtr.cool/gnmt858hxc
#MMR2026
0
1
0
342
Bram Frouws retweeted
Fighting has resumed in north Ethiopia. Compared to 5 yrs ago, neighbouring countries are at war or under strain, Red Sea is a conflict zone, drought is setting in, & humanitarian system has less capacity. What could this mean for mixed migration & displacement?
#MMR2026
f.mtr.cool/8or5ifkf1d
#MMR2026
f.mtr.cool/8or5ifkf1d
0
1
0
215
Bram Frouws retweeted
“A new instrument is adopted (EU Pact), bypassed at its first real test (Ceuta), and then treated as a reason to build the next one.”
MMC Director @BramFrouws examines what the response to Ceuta tells us about European migration governance.
f.mtr.cool/cacrseocag
MMC Director @BramFrouws examines what the response to Ceuta tells us about European migration governance.
f.mtr.cool/cacrseocag
0
1
4
1,009
Remarkable #SOTEU re: #migration & #Ceuta, saying Pact = the solution (not used/referenced during crisis), then announcing new crisis response framework (while Pact includes crisis instruments), already showing lack of confidence & undermining public trust
mixedmigration.org/articles/eu-pa…
mixedmigration.org/articles/eu-pa…
0
0
3
393
Bram Frouws retweeted
"Language using words like 'invasion' or 'attack' or water-related metaphors to describe the movement of humans is dangerous because it tends to dehumanise people."
@BramFrouws spoke to @TheAfricaReport about the rhetoric & the response to Ceuta
f.mtr.cool/kxuhheyiaj
@BramFrouws spoke to @TheAfricaReport about the rhetoric & the response to Ceuta
f.mtr.cool/kxuhheyiaj
0
3
3
249
Bram Frouws retweeted
MMC director @BramFrouws on the political implications of the EU Migration Pact in the aftermath of the crossings into Ceuta: "The idea of the pact is control and solidarity between EU member states. Yet we've seen the opposite."
f.mtr.cool/njnvqawivp
f.mtr.cool/njnvqawivp
0
1
1
243
Curious what is meant by ‘acted together’. What I’ve seen is political panic, lack of solidarity with Spain, unjustified unilateral actions by countries & lack of confidence the EU - now that there is a EU Migration Pact - can actually respond together in a level-headed way
What happened in Ceuta was a test of our resilience and the security of our external borders.
We restored control because we acted together. Now, we must draw the right conclusions and strengthen our response.
Full press conference:
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video…
0
1
2
394
Bram Frouws retweeted
Villa suggested Morocco may have loosened the border as a way of showing it has “the upper hand”, especially because authorities there know it would cause an overreaction in Europe. “They love seeing all the fighting between European countries,” he added.
theguardian.com/world/2026/jul…
theguardian.com/world/2026/jul…
5
22
85
5,995
Bram Frouws retweeted
Instead of ramping up pressure on Morocco, many EU partners turned on Madrid.
The migration panic is fuel for those trying to blackmail Europe.
The Spanish people won't forget this lack of solidarity.
My take @derspiegel
spiegel.de/ausland/ceuta-…
The migration panic is fuel for those trying to blackmail Europe.
The Spanish people won't forget this lack of solidarity.
My take @derspiegel
spiegel.de/ausland/ceuta-…
353
842
3,327
172,787
Exactly. The result of these migration deals, in combination with the fear of migrant arrivals, is a twisted power dynamic, whereby countries around EUs external borders hold all the cards & can extract diplomatic favours & cash by (threatening to) “opening or closing the gates”
The failure to condemn the Moroccan regime for instigating a deadly surge against one of its own members is because Morocco is one of many client states which which it engages in a Faustian bargain to block migrants from its shores. This is the predictable outcome of outsourcing.
0
2
3
397
“Make no mistake” yet that’s precisely what you do. They are back in Morocco and they didn’t even reach mainland Europe. But I guess such a mistake serves the political agenda well enough, so facts and evidence don’t matter? Sad.
Make no mistake, these men are on their way to the UK right now.
0
1
3
257
Bram Frouws retweeted
I crossed the Sahara Desert with migrants about a decade ago. Those in the video who crossed into Ceuta from Morocco neither looked like migrants (no luggage) nor did they behave like migrants (went back home with no protest). They looked like a rent-a-mob from Morocco's o cross over and create a diplomatic crisis for Spain? Why? Well, ask the Israeli government, whose Moroccan partner is ever ready to create an embarrassment for the @sanchezcastejon government as a consequence of its position on the genocide of the Palestinians. Remember when the Moroccan King did the same thing in 2021 when the Spanish government arranged for medical care of Brahim Ghali (leader of @Polisario_).
309
6,417
17,154
692,099
Bram Frouws retweeted
“Not a single person has crossed to mainland EU.”
But 57 people died.
But 57 people died.
Had a phone call with Minister Albares. He informed me that, after the sustained efforts, practically all those who had entered Ceuta have returned. Not a single person has crossed to mainland EU. We will remain in close contact and are in touch with ministers across Europe.
13
5
17
3,276
Exactly
Ceuta is the biggest gift ever to the European far right & Israel; they’re milking this incident to the last drop at a time when they’re struggling for support
The far right & Israel know they have nothing to offer other than Islamophobia & scapegoating migrants to gain support
European rihave been sowing unprecedented disinformation where they pretend that Ceuta is a 5-minute walk from Paris, Berlin or London, rather than an enclave in Northern Africa separated from Europe by the sea & under heavy security
They’re omitting that Spain already returned over 40,000 people of those who crossed into Ceuta back to Morocco
They’re drumming up a narrative of “invasion,” “war,” “barbarians at the gate”… they’re leaving out that Morocco is Israel’s & the US’s closest ally in Northern Africa
0
0
1
90
Bram Frouws retweeted
A new 🇬🇧 Prime Minister takes office July 20
Migration likely will be one of his first big tests
Our experts explain why now is the moment for an ambitious UK-EU deal on small boats
bit.ly/4fioKz3
Migration likely will be one of his first big tests
Our experts explain why now is the moment for an ambitious UK-EU deal on small boats
bit.ly/4fioKz3
0
1
4
1,075
Bram Frouws retweeted
A new 6-month study of 700 people on the move by @UNHCRSom & @Mixed_Migration shows access to protection transforms journeys. Read the full story here: 👉unhcr.org/africa/publica…
1
3
6
835
Bram Frouws retweeted
The US has closed legal pathways for Cubans while tightening sanctions on the island. The result: Cuban mixed migration is being redirected across Latin America.
f.mtr.cool/ukdklkaaqa
f.mtr.cool/ukdklkaaqa
0
1
0
267
Bram Frouws retweeted
𝗡𝗘𝗪: Infographic based on 503 interviews in Italy: 73% of refugees and migrants experienced violence or abuse on their journey (77% came via Tunisia, 71% via Libya). 78% chose to remain in Italy, citing safety as the primary reason.
Read: f.mtr.cool/gsukddmvpn
Read: f.mtr.cool/gsukddmvpn
0
1
1
329
Yes. And what exactly will hosting countries get in return, in addition to cash. Or: how far are European countries willing to go/give in on certain issues & compromise/turn a blind eye to broader human rights situation in countries hosting return hubs
Some things we don't know about the EU's 'return hubs':
- where they will be located
- exactly who will & will not be sent to them
- the conditions under which people will be held there
- how long they will have to stay there
- what will happen to those who can't be moved on
0
0
2
168