The diplomatic pressure surrounding the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla has intensified in recent weeks, particularly with Morocco’s persistent ambitions of incorporating these autonomous cities into its territory as part of its expansionist agenda. Recently, this narrative has begun to gain traction in the United States, with Republican figure Mario Díaz-Balart, closely aligned with Marco Rubio, openly questioning Spanish sovereignty over these North African territories. Although discussions regarding military defense of these cities may seem premature at this juncture, it is essential to consider the broader context in which these discussions are occurring.
Relations between Spain and Morocco have notably improved since 2022, following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's recognition of Morocco's stance on Western Sahara as a legitimate basis for negotiations. In recent statements, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has downplayed any immediate threat to Ceuta and Melilla. However, Morocco's vision of a 'Greater Morocco', which encompasses ambitions to expand its territory, includes these two cities in its scope.
In 2020, Morocco's then-Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani made headlines by asserting that Ceuta and Melilla are as Moroccan as Western Sahara, labeling them as 'occupied'. While King Mohammed VI has refrained from making direct declarations regarding these enclaves, his administration has consistently emphasized the importance of 'territorial integrity', which encompasses the northern zone of Morocco. In 2023, under Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco submitted an official note to the European Commission asserting its sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, although the Prime Minister has adopted a more cautious approach in this regard.
If Spain were to decide to deploy military resources to defend these cities against potential aggression from Morocco or any other nation, it would inevitably seek support from its international allies. However, the response might not be as forthcoming as expected. NATO's involvement remains uncertain, primarily because its treaty stipulates defense obligations only for territories located in Europe. Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty ensures collective defense against attacks occurring in Europe or North America, while Article 6 clarifies that this protection extends to territories within these geographical regions. Ceuta and Melilla, located in Africa, do not explicitly fall under these provisions, complicating Spain's defense strategy.
Adding to the complexities of NATO's regulations is the political estrangement from the United States, the leading force within NATO, particularly due to the contrasting ideologies of Pedro Sánchez and Donald Trump. This political distance has also aligned with increasingly favorable sentiments toward Morocco's claims over the regions housing the Spanish cities.
Since 2009, the European Union Treaty has incorporated a mutual defense clause that reinforces the collective security of its member states. Article 42.7 stipulates that if any EU country is subjected to armed aggression on its territory, other member states must provide 'aid and assistance by all means in their power'. However, a significant limitation of this clause is that each state has the discretion to determine the nature of the support, which does not necessarily have to be military in nature. In the case of Ceuta and Melilla, the application of Article 42.7 is feasible, as both cities are part of Spain, and unlike NATO, the EU treaty does not impose geographical distinctions.
In recent months, Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defense, has emphasized the urgent need to revisit Article 42.7 in light of new geopolitical threats, particularly from Russia, and the overall state of European defense. However, Kubilius has also pointed out that legal ambiguities persist, and the current wording does not provide sufficient clarity or strength for a decisive and coordinated response.
As reported by infobae.com.
