Spain presses Morocco for clarification on Ceuta and Melilla remarks
The recent surge in migration toward Ceuta late last month has reignited a heated political debate in Madrid, fueled by remarks from Morocco’s Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi regarding the status of Ceuta and Melilla.
Marouane Kabbaj
Jaime de los Santos
The controversy stirred by Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi is nothing new, but this time, his comments about Ceuta and Melilla have sent shockwaves through Spain, sparking a fierce parliamentary debate in Madrid.
In a Tuesday interview with Asharq Bloomberg, Mr. Ouahbi asserted that Rabat is prepared to negotiate with Madrid over the status of the two cities, which Morocco claims as its own. He emphasized that this issue remains « on the table » under a framework built on dialogue and patience. He also pointed to Spain’s responsibilities in handling the late July migration crisis, particularly regarding the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors, while stressing that Morocco cannot act as Europe’s migration policeman.
It is against this backdrop that Spain’s ruling Popular Party (PP) has taken a firm stance, demanding that the government of Pedro Sánchez summon Morocco’s ambassador for urgent consultations. The party’s move targets not only Rabat’s reaffirmed position on the two enclaves but also its handling of the recent migration surge at the Ceuta border.
During a visit to Barcelona, PP lawmaker Jaime de los Santos criticized the government for its inconsistent approach. He highlighted that Madrid had not hesitated to summon Italy’s ambassador weeks earlier over Rome’s suspension of the Schengen Agreement, questioning why no similar action had been taken against Morocco. According to him, the mass migrant crossings at Ceuta and Ouahbi’s remarks on Spanish sovereignty over the two cities would have justified such a step.
The PP’s demands extend beyond the ambassador’s summoning. The party has also submitted written questions to the Congress of Deputies, pressing Justice Minister Félix Bolaños to explain the government’s exchanges with his Moroccan counterpart since the migration crisis began two weeks ago, as well as the steps taken in response to Ouahbi’s comments on the status of the enclaves.
Another concern raised by the conservative party is the alleged threat by the Moroccan minister to suspend the extradition agreement between Rabat and Madrid—a tool the PP considers vital for organizing the return of individuals who crossed the border fence.
In a Tuesday interview with Asharq Bloomberg, Mr. Ouahbi asserted that Rabat is prepared to negotiate with Madrid over the status of the two cities, which Morocco claims as its own. He emphasized that this issue remains « on the table » under a framework built on dialogue and patience. He also pointed to Spain’s responsibilities in handling the late July migration crisis, particularly regarding the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors, while stressing that Morocco cannot act as Europe’s migration policeman.
It is against this backdrop that Spain’s ruling Popular Party (PP) has taken a firm stance, demanding that the government of Pedro Sánchez summon Morocco’s ambassador for urgent consultations. The party’s move targets not only Rabat’s reaffirmed position on the two enclaves but also its handling of the recent migration surge at the Ceuta border.
During a visit to Barcelona, PP lawmaker Jaime de los Santos criticized the government for its inconsistent approach. He highlighted that Madrid had not hesitated to summon Italy’s ambassador weeks earlier over Rome’s suspension of the Schengen Agreement, questioning why no similar action had been taken against Morocco. According to him, the mass migrant crossings at Ceuta and Ouahbi’s remarks on Spanish sovereignty over the two cities would have justified such a step.
The PP’s demands extend beyond the ambassador’s summoning. The party has also submitted written questions to the Congress of Deputies, pressing Justice Minister Félix Bolaños to explain the government’s exchanges with his Moroccan counterpart since the migration crisis began two weeks ago, as well as the steps taken in response to Ouahbi’s comments on the status of the enclaves.
Another concern raised by the conservative party is the alleged threat by the Moroccan minister to suspend the extradition agreement between Rabat and Madrid—a tool the PP considers vital for organizing the return of individuals who crossed the border fence.
