Spain formally protested to Morocco after two ministers called for the "liberation" of Ceuta and Melilla. The Moroccan ambassador was summoned, but did not attend. Tensions over the enclaves have escalated, prompting urgent diplomatic action.
Spain has stepped up its response to Morocco after two senior Moroccan ministers publicly questioned Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla. Madrid summoned the Moroccan ambassador for a formal protest, a rare public rejection of Rabat’s claims and a sign that the dispute over the North African enclaves has entered a new phase.
The latest standoff began when Morocco’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Tufiq, called for the "liberation of the occupied cities" of Ceuta and Melilla at a high-profile event with King Mohamed VI. At the same time, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi spoke of Morocco’s "historical rights" to the territories. These remarks drew an immediate reaction in Madrid, where officials saw them as a direct challenge to Spain’s territorial integrity.
According to official statements, Spain delivered its protest note to the Moroccan chargé d’affaires because Ambassador Karima Benyaich was out of the country at the time; the note was also sent to her electronically.
On August 21, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Moroccan ambassador Karima Benyaich to deliver a formal note of protest. Since Benyaich was abroad, the embassy’s chargé d’affaires attended instead. Spanish officials said the situation was urgent and chose not to wait for the ambassador’s return. The protest was also sent to Benyaich electronically, underlining the seriousness of Madrid’s response.
This is the first time Spain has formally and publicly rejected Morocco’s position on Ceuta and Melilla through every available diplomatic channel. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares had hinted at a strong response in parliament, but the government only confirmed the ambassador’s summons after the fact. The Ministry noted that such meetings are usually confidential, but the nature of the Moroccan ministers’ comments left little room for ambiguity.
Summoning an ambassador is a standard diplomatic move, meant to signal displeasure without escalating to more severe steps like recalling one’s own envoy. Spain has used this approach before, including with Iran, Russia, and Italy, when foreign officials made statements or took actions seen as hostile to Spanish interests. In this case, the government’s quick response shows it wants to draw a clear line on Ceuta and Melilla.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares publicly stated that Spain's sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla is not up for discussion, emphasizing that there have been no negotiations on this issue and that all Moroccan claims have been formally rejected through every diplomatic channel. This position was widely reported by leading Spanish media and confirmed by official government communications.
Tensions between Spain and Morocco over the enclaves are not new. In late 2020, Benyaich was summoned after then-Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani described Ceuta and Melilla as "Moroccan like the Sahara." The situation escalated in May 2021, when about 8,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta in a single day, leading to more diplomatic protests and the temporary withdrawal of the Moroccan ambassador. As reported earlier, these incidents have repeatedly strained relations between the two countries.
Spain’s approach to diplomatic disputes usually follows a pattern: initial protest, escalation to recalling the ambassador if needed, and, in extreme cases, withdrawing its own envoy. This sequence played out with Israel and Argentina in recent years after inflammatory remarks by foreign officials led to tit-for-tat diplomatic withdrawals. In both cases, normal relations were eventually restored, but only after months of tension and changes in personnel.
The Ceuta and Melilla issue remains a flashpoint in Spain-Morocco relations. Each round of rhetoric or border incidents threatens broader cooperation on migration, security, and trade. By making its protest public this time—breaking with usual diplomatic discretion—the Spanish government appears to be sending a clear warning to Rabat and reassuring its own public. Madrid’s message is direct: Spain will not tolerate public challenges to its sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla and is ready to escalate if needed. For now, the next move is up to Morocco.
