A former Spanish envoy warns Morocco won’t drop Ceuta claims

Morocco’s persistent territorial claims over Spain’s North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have resurfaced as a critical backdrop to the recent migration crisis that overwhelmed the Spanish city of Ceuta at the end of July. According to a former Spanish ambassador to Morocco, these longstanding disputes are far from resolved and continue to influence bilateral relations between the two nations.

Jorge Dezcallar, who also served as director of Spain’s intelligence services (CNI), emphasized that Rabat maintains its claims over Ceuta and Melilla despite decades of Spanish sovereignty. He suggested that the timing of the recent migrant influx may not be coincidental, noting that Morocco appears to be testing Spain’s political resolve at a moment when Madrid is perceived as weakened by domestic turmoil.

The Spanish government, led by left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, faces mounting criticism over corruption scandals involving high-ranking officials and close associates. Additionally, its pro-immigration policies and vocal criticism of the United States have frequently put it at odds with European counterparts, further complicating its position in negotiations with Morocco.

Diplomatic tensions and strategic stakes

Dezcallar described Spanish-Moroccan relations as volatile and emotionally charged rather than purely transactional. While the two countries share deep economic ties and collaborate closely on migration control, counterterrorism, and regional security, their diplomatic interactions remain highly unpredictable.

Persistent territorial disputes

Moroccan officials and state-aligned media have increasingly reiterated their stance on Ceuta and Melilla, territories that have been under Spanish control for centuries—long before the emergence of modern Morocco as a nation-state.

Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi reiterated this position in a recent statement, asserting that “this issue remains on the table. Every time we meet with Spanish counterparts, we raise it.” He added that Morocco remains firmly committed to its territories, emphasizing that the matter will be resolved “through negotiation and with patience.”

In response, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles firmly declared from Ceuta, “Let there be no doubt: Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish. They are non-negotiable.”

The Spanish monarchy has historically avoided visiting the enclaves, and it was only this week that a Spanish foreign minister made the first such trip in modern democratic history—a move widely interpreted as an attempt to avoid provoking Morocco.

Root causes of the migration crisis

Both Madrid and Rabat attribute the recent surge in irregular migration to criminal networks exploiting a July ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which restricted the immediate deportation of migrants arriving by sea to Ceuta and Melilla. Dezcallar, however, suggested that Moroccan authorities may have shown a degree of leniency or negligence in managing the situation.

He warned that Spain lacks the necessary resources to curb such influxes, noting that this is not an isolated incident. “If someone believes Morocco will abandon its claims on Ceuta and Melilla, they are mistaken,” he stated.

Historical flashpoints and future risks

The 2021 diplomatic rupture between the two countries, triggered by Spain’s decision to admit hospitalized Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali, was followed by Morocco’s orchestration of nearly 10,000 migrants crossing into Ceuta in what Spanish officials described as an act of “blackmail.”

Dezcallar cautioned that Madrid cannot afford to repeat such oversights. “One mistake can be forgiven, but not twice. I cannot believe the government was unaware of the warnings from Ceuta authorities about a gradual increase in irregular arrivals in the days prior,” he said.

Intelligence sources have since alerted to a potential new surge in Ceuta on August 15, with social media calls to storm the city growing louder. Police and Guardia Civil unions have also confirmed the threat.

The former ambassador’s remarks underscore the enduring nature of this dispute and its potential to destabilize an already fragile bilateral relationship.