Spain rejects discussing sovereignty of enclaves with Morocco
The status of the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish territories is not up for discussion, Spanish officials said on Wednesday, after Morocco's justice minister reiterated Rabat's sovereignty claims over the cities.
Spanish officials have firmly rejected discussing the sovereignty of the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla with Morocco, following Morocco's justice minister reiterating its claims over the cities. The Moroccan official's remarks came after the July border crisis, which saw an estimated 72,000 migrants cross into Ceuta, resulting in at least 96 deaths.
Moroccan officials have consistently viewed the enclaves as occupied territory, demanding their sovereignty should be transferred to Morocco. In contrast, Spain regards Ceuta and Melilla as integral parts of its territory, dating back to the 17th and 15th centuries, respectively. Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles dismissed Ouahbi's claims, emphasizing that any attack on the enclines would be an attack on Spain as a whole.
Spain's government praised Moroccan efforts in repatriating migrants, but blamed the crisis on people-smuggling networks. The Foreign Ministry stated that Spain's territorial integrity "has not, and will never be, discussed with anyone". Morocco's Interior Ministry has increased security near the borders with Ceuta and Melilla, warning it will prosecute those who organize or participate in future mass crossing attempts, such as the planned one on August 15. Spanish leaders urged vigilance and condemned suspicious calls for such actions.
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