Spain-Morocco Relations: Ceuta-Melilla Row

The relationship between Spain and Morocco is facing new challenges as Madrid rejects negotiations regarding Ceuta and Melilla’s sovereignty, two Spanish territories located on the North African coast. The conflict between both countries has arisen amid new tensions about immigration and borders.

Spain has clearly shown that it does not want to consider Ceuta and Melilla’s sovereignty for negotiation. This new issue has appeared as Moroccan officials have started once again raising historical claims over these territories.

Spain Does Not Want to Discuss Anything About Its Sovereignty

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain has made it clear that its sovereignty is not negotiable. Spain considers Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish territories, whose sovereignty cannot be discussed.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles further strengthened this position during her visit to Ceuta, saying that any hostile move towards either enclave will amount to an attack against Spain.

This move shows Madrid’s desire to make sure that this territorial dispute does not get mixed up in broader disputes regarding immigration and border issues.

Territorial Claims by Morocco

Morocco has always regarded the two enclaves as territories that belong to Morocco in the future.

Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi reiterated the position of Morocco, stating that the enclaves were territories occupied by Spain and that the matter had to be solved diplomatically.

This position is in direct contradiction to Madrid’s view that the issue of sovereignty is settled and non-negotiable.

Even though there has been a long-running dispute, there seems to be no willingness to let the dispute get out of hand diplomatically. The two countries have become strategically important partners in terms of migration, security, and trade.

Migration Has Added Yet Another Element of Tension

The question of sovereignty is also linked to migration issues.

According to sources, in mid-July a large-scale border conflict occurred, with approximately 72,000 migrants trying to get through to Ceuta. Dozens of people were reported dead during that event. It added another strain to the security forces of Morocco and Spain, and the fear of organized crossings grew stronger.

Further, after calls on social media to try again and cross the border, Moroccan authorities had to strengthen security on the borders.

Moreover, Rabat urged Spain to speed up the process of repatriation of Moroccan minors who stay in Ceuta without parents. Spain insists on handling each case individually.

Significance of Ceuta and Melilla

Ceuta and Melilla are located in places of strategic importance for both the Mediterranean and North Africa coasts. Thus, their importance is greater than just being a place where relatively few people live.

In order for Spain, these territories are of great importance for keeping the integrity of its territory and Europe as well. In terms of Morocco, these territories are reminders of incomplete decolonization and national sovereignty.

And what happens next?

For both states, the first step would be to make sure that the issue of sovereignty does not affect the rest of their cooperation.

Spain needs the help of Morocco in terms of migration policies and regional security; on the other hand, Morocco needs good economic and political relationships with Spain and the EU.

Thus, both have reasons to keep this issue under control.

But the constant claims regarding sovereignty, in combination with migration crises in the border zones, might make the relations between the two states even more complicated in the future.

For now, the position of Spain is clear – Ceuta and Melilla are not for discussion. And Morocco holds its own position as well.