Morocco has once again placed the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla at the centre of its territorial ambitions. In an interview with the Moroccan public broadcaster 2M, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi defended his country's "historical and geographical" rights over the two autonomous cities and proposed the creation of a bilateral mechanism to discuss their future.
Madrid was quick to shut the door. Sources at Spain's Foreign Ministry said the government had conveyed its "categorical rejection" of Morocco's claims, reiterating that Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of Spanish territory and, by extension, of the European Union.
A recurring demand
Ouahbi's remarks are not new. On 12 August, shortly after a major migration surge overwhelmed Ceuta, he had already stated that Morocco continued to claim both cities and that the issue remained "on the table" in contacts with Spain. This week's interview, however, went further by explicitly proposing a formal dialogue mechanism.
According to Ouahbi, any such process should aim for a "definitive solution" — one that would ultimately see the integration of Ceuta and Melilla into Morocco. He insisted that Rabat has no intention of dropping its claims, which he framed as part of the broader bilateral relationship with Spain.
The timing is sensitive. The comments come as Ceuta is still grappling with the aftermath of a migration crisis in late July, when tens of thousands of people crossed into the city from Moroccan territory, overwhelming local reception facilities and leaving dozens dead. The Spanish government has been working to relocate migrants from makeshift camps on the beach to proper shelters, as reported by European Pulse. A second beach eviction is also being prepared as migrants return to the Trampolín area, according to local authorities.
The European Union has responded to the crisis by boosting migration funding for Morocco, a move that some analysts see as an attempt to stabilise relations while addressing the root causes of irregular migration.
Spain's position remains unchanged: the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla is not open to negotiation. The Foreign Ministry's response underscores that any challenge to that sovereignty is a challenge to the territorial integrity of both Spain and the EU.
Morocco's persistence, however, suggests the issue will continue to simmer beneath the surface of bilateral ties. For now, Madrid has made clear that dialogue on the enclaves' future is not on the agenda.
