On Tuesday, October 13, King Felipe VI of Spain is set to visit Ceuta, followed by Melilla on Wednesday, marking his first visit to these North African enclaves since he ascended the throne in 2014. This royal engagement comes a mere two and a half months after over 70,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco, a country that has long claimed sovereignty over these two territories.
Ceuta will welcome King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on October 13, with the royal couple expected in Melilla the following day. Since taking the throne, the king has not previously visited either of these enclaves located along Morocco's northern coast. The Moroccan government has asserted its claims over these cities since the 1960s, intensifying discussions around sovereignty and migration.
This visit comes on the heels of an unprecedented migration crisis, with more than 70,000 migrants entering Ceuta on July 30 and 31. Authorities and humanitarian organizations report at least a hundred deaths, primarily at sea. Although most of these migrants returned within a few days, the incident has left a lasting impact on the city, which has a population of approximately 80,000 residents.
The official purpose of the king's trip, as stated by RFI, is to demonstrate that the Spanish state stands in solidarity with these territories. The royal household announced the visit on October 1, in coordination with the government. Two days prior to the visit, the king expressed a firm stance during a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron, labeling the violation of 'an Spanish border that is also a European border' as unacceptable.
The Silence from Rabat
The summer migration crisis has reignited Morocco's claims over Ceuta and Melilla. On August 11, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi cited 'historical and geographical rights' concerning these regions. In response, Madrid summoned the Moroccan ambassador to express its discontent. The king's visit is viewed as a symbolic rejection of Rabat's claims, according to analysis from Le Monde.
The last royal visit to these enclaves occurred in November 2007, when former King Juan Carlos visited. Rabat criticized this visit even before it commenced, recalling its ambassador from Spain. King Mohammed VI of Morocco denounced it as a 'nostalgic act of a dark and decidedly bygone era,' as reported by Jeune Afrique. This time, however, neither the palace nor senior Moroccan political figures have officially responded. According to El País, Spanish military and diplomatic sources suggest that Mohammed VI may have given his tacit approval for the visit, although this remains unconfirmed.
Relations between the two neighbors have improved since 2022, particularly when Madrid endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. To manage migration flows effectively, Spain also relies heavily on cooperation with Morocco, as highlighted by Le Monde. However, on October 9, Mohammed VI acknowledged that 'the current model of cooperation has reached its limits,' announcing a forthcoming document that aims to provide Morocco's partners with 'a clear and practical strategic vision.'
Implications of the Visit Amid Election Campaign
Immigration is poised to become a central theme in the upcoming electoral campaign in Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on October 5 that early legislative elections would take place on November 29. The main opposition parties, the Popular Party (PP) and Vox, have criticized Sánchez's handling of migration issues and his approach to Morocco. Both parties, currently polling well, plan to capitalize on the theme of the 'invasion of Ceuta,' as reported by Libération.
The government attributes the events of July to 'mafias' and social media influences, according to the daily reports. El País revealed on October 12 that Moroccan warships had entered the enclave's waters unannounced during the migrant influx. This was described as 'not merely a passage or accidental entry, but a deliberate and repetitive violation of territorial waters, a rare occurrence in such contexts.' The extreme right has been proactive; its leader, Santiago Abascal, visited Ceuta on the preceding Monday, accompanied by Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally, showcasing a united front between the two far-right parties ahead of crucial elections in both Spain and France. Interestingly, Prime Minister Sánchez will not accompany the royal couple, instead represented by Ángel Víctor Torres, the Minister of Territorial Policy.
Locally, the executive, led by Juan Jesús Vivas from the PP, has criticized Madrid for a lack of coordination. A notary has even recorded exchanges with the government at Vivas's request, as revealed by El País on October 7. Despite political disputes, the sovereignty of these enclaves remains intact, with 77.1% of respondents in a recent survey affirming that Ceuta and Melilla are 'as Spanish' as the mainland. This survey, conducted by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) and released mid-September, aligns with the consensus among major political parties, as noted by Le Monde.
In the enclave, the recent crisis has strained community relations, particularly in a city where approximately 40% of the residents are Muslim. Esperanza Ansede, a 63-year-old teacher, summarized the situation as 'an invasion.' Ahmed Enfed-Dal, 48, president of the El Príncipe neighborhood association, expressed disappointment, stating that some individuals had 'destroyed shelters for migrants' or obstructed the Red Cross from providing food. In his neighborhood, one of the poorest areas of Ceuta, the predominantly Muslim population has expressed a desire for recognition and inclusiveness. A graffiti message reads: 'El Príncipe is also Spain.' Enfed-Dal lamented, 'I wish the king had come here, to the neighborhood.' He believes that such a visit would have made the residents feel 'fully part of Ceuta.'
As reported by information.tv5monde.com.