Morocco Revives Claim to Ceuta and Melilla, Asserting Sovereignty Over Spanish Territories

Morocco, under King Mohammed VI, has reasserted its historical claim to Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish-controlled territories located on the northern coast of Africa. The claim, which dates back to the 15th century, is framed as a matter of historical and legal right rather than a demand for decolonization. The Moroccan government has emphasized that its stance is not a call for the withdrawal of Spanish forces but a reclamation of territory it considers its own. The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the claim is part of its broader strategy to assert territorial integrity and align with international law. The Spanish government, however, has remained silent on the matter, with officials avoiding direct comment. Analysts suggest that Morocco’s move is intended to pressure Spain diplomatically and to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations over the Western Sahara dispute. The Middle East Eye reported that Morocco’s claim is not framed as a decolonization effort but as a restoration of historical borders. The outlet noted that the Moroccan government has sought to differentiate its stance from past calls for self-determination in the Sahara, emphasizing instead a legal and territorial argument.