moroccan Group Demands Unconditional Spanish Withdrawal from Ceuta and Melilla
A Moroccan committee is intensifying its campaign for Spain to relinquish control of the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, designating September 17 as a day to assert Moroccan claims over the territories.
The group advocates for the unconditional end of the Spanish “occupation” of Ceuta and Melilla. They are calling for september 17 to be recognized as an official day to claim the Moroccanity of these two Spanish cities, a date marking the Castilian troops’ capture of Melilla in 1497, according to Ok daily.On social media platforms, the Committee is urging the abolition of all border controls, which they deem an “offense to the dignity of the Moroccan people.”
The Moroccan group stated, “Spain must leave Ceuta and Melilla unconditionally.” They further asserted that “no moroccan must present its passport to enter its own country.” The Liberation Committee of Ceuta and Melilla is also encouraging “disobedience” to current regulations at border crossings like Beni Enzar, which they characterize as “humiliating and illegal.”
Moroccan authorities have not yet issued a response to these declarations. Some analysts interpret Rabat’s silence as tacit agreement, while in Ceuta and Melilla, this lack of official reaction is generating concern. Nationalist rhetoric is viewed in both enclaves as a direct threat to border stability. Buisness leaders in the two cities have voiced apprehension regarding the potential negative impact of this campaign on trade with Morocco.
The national movement has announced plans for symbolic actions on september 17 to “make its cause visible” internationally, a move that is causing unease in both presidencies.
Ceuta and Melilla are two autonomous Spanish cities located on the northern coast of Africa. Their sovereignty has been a recurring point of contention in Spanish-Moroccan relations. Morocco claims these territories, along with other smaller Spanish-held islands off the coast of North Africa, asserting past rights. Spain, conversely, bases its claim on continuous possession and international treaties. The status of these enclaves significantly impacts diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations, influencing migration policies and regional security discussions.
- What are Ceuta and Melilla?
- Ceuta and Melilla are two autonomous Spanish cities located on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco.
- Why dose Morocco claim these territories?
- Morocco claims Ceuta and Melilla based on historical arguments and their geographical proximity to Morocco, asserting they are Moroccan territories under Spanish occupation.
- What is Spain’s position on the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla?
- spain maintains that Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of Spain, citing continuous possession and international recognition of their sovereignty.
- When did Spain gain control of these cities?
- Spain took control of Melilla in 1497 and Ceuta in 1580.