Political Stance on Ceuta and Melilla Reaffirmed
On September 6, 2026, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah, the Secretary General of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), reiterated his party's firm stance regarding the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, labeling them as "two occupied Moroccan cities." This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions between Rabat and Madrid concerning the status of the two enclaves. During a communication event held in Ben Tayeb, Driouch Province, Benabdallah condemned actions attributed to what he described as "chauvinistic and far-right elements" in Spain. This includes recent incidents where images surfaced of a torn Moroccan flag at demonstrations, which he believes incite hatred and could lead to division and conflict between Moroccan and Spanish peoples.
In his statements regarding Ceuta and Melilla, Benabdallah was unequivocal, asserting that "no one can deny that Ceuta and Melilla are two Moroccan cities under occupation." He believes that historical realities will eventually prevail, pushing for recognition of Morocco's claims over these territories. Despite his strong assertions, he emphasized Morocco's desire to foster good relations with Spain and its citizens, grounded in the principles of good neighborliness and the historical ties between the two nations.
Benabdallah made a clear distinction between advocating for Morocco's historical rights and the nature of its diplomatic relations with Madrid. He indicated that Morocco will persist in defending its "legitimate rights" while maintaining a balanced and intelligent approach to managing this sensitive issue. Furthermore, he denounced the demonstrations where the Moroccan flag was desecrated, labeling these acts as offensive to Moroccan sentiments and unacceptable. He posed a thought-provoking question: how would Spain react if the Spanish flag were burned during a protest in Morocco?
The remarks from the PPS leader come at a time when the issue of Ceuta and Melilla has regained significant attention in public discourse in both Morocco and Spain. Recently, several Moroccan officials have reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to its historical claims regarding the two enclaves, prompting responses from Madrid, which maintains that Ceuta and Melilla fall under Spanish sovereignty.
As reported by fr.hespress.com.
