Morocco's Renewed Claims on Ceuta and Melilla

This week, Morocco has once again brought the territories of Ceuta and Melilla to the forefront of its regional claims. During a recent statement, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi emphasized the "historical and geographical rights" of Morocco over these two autonomous cities, which lie on the northern coast of Africa, adjacent to Spain. In an effort to clarify the future of these territories, he also proposed the establishment of a dialogue mechanism with Spain, indicating a willingness to negotiate.

The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, responded promptly to these claims. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain conveyed its "unequivocal opposition" to Morocco's assertions, reiterating that Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of Spanish sovereignty and, by extension, part of the European Union's territory. This reaction underscores the deep-seated tensions surrounding the issue of territorial sovereignty in the region.

Migration Crisis Complicates Tensions

Ouahbi elaborated on Morocco's stance during an interview with the national broadcaster "2M," stating that Rabat has no intention of relinquishing its claims and insists that this issue remains a focal point in its relations with Spain. He proposed a bilateral mechanism to negotiate the future of Ceuta and Melilla, aiming at what he termed a "final" solution, which would ideally result in the integration of these territories into Morocco.

These comments come in the context of a severe migration crisis affecting Ceuta. In late July, thousands of individuals from Morocco flooded into the city, overwhelming its capacity and resulting in numerous fatalities. This influx has intensified the urgency of the situation, complicating the already fraught diplomatic relations between Morocco and Spain.

This is not the first instance in which Ouahbi has challenged Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla since the onset of the migration crisis. On August 12, he reiterated Morocco's commitment to its claims over both cities, asserting that the subject remains "on the table" in discussions with Spain. Territorial claims by Morocco on these cities are not a new phenomenon; they have been a part of Rabat's narrative since Morocco gained independence in 1956, with Spain consistently rejecting any attempts to undermine its sovereignty.

As reported by de.euronews.com.