Diplomatic Tensions Arise Between Morocco and Spain
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially summoned Morocco's ambassador to Madrid, Karima Benyaich, following controversial statements made by Moroccan ministers regarding the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla. During a meeting held on August 21, the ambassador was absent as she was reportedly on vacation. Instead, Abderrahim Radi, a counselor at the Moroccan embassy, represented her during this crucial diplomatic exchange.
Spanish authorities expressed their disagreement with the comments made by Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq concerning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla. The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, deemed the ministers' remarks as "unacceptable" and firmly rejected their stance, insisting that this message be conveyed to Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. The urgency of the situation prompted the Spanish Ministry not to wait for Ambassador Benyaich's return before addressing the matter.
This incident is not the first instance of diplomatic friction involving Ambassador Benyaich. In late 2020, she was also summoned following similar remarks made by former Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani during a migration crisis concerning Ceuta in May 2021. This previous diplomatic strife resulted in Morocco temporarily recalling its ambassador, who only returned to Madrid in March 2022 after Spain expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
