After two senior Moroccan ministers publicly questioned Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, Madrid delivered a formal protest to Morocco on August 21. Ambassador Karima Benyaich was abroad, so the embassy’s chargé d’affaires attended instead. The protest note was also sent to her electronically.
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. Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi also spoke of Morocco’s "historical rights" to the territories. The remarks drew an immediate reaction in Madrid, where officials saw them as a direct challenge to Spain’s territorial integrity.
Information from 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. Benyaich was abroad, so the embassy’s chargé d’affaires attended instead. Spanish officials called the situation urgent and chose not to wait for the ambassador’s return. They also sent the protest to Benyaich electronically, underscoring 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 confirmed the ambassador’s summons only afterward. The Ministry said such meetings are usually confidential. The Moroccan ministers’ comments, but, left little room for ambiguity.
Summoning an ambassador is a standard diplomatic move. It signals displeasure without escalating to more severe steps, such as recalling one’s own envoy. Spain has used this approach before in disputes with Iran and Russia. It has also used it with Italy, after 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. He emphasized that there have been no negotiations on this issue and that all Moroccan claims have been formally rejected through every diplomatic channel. Leading Spanish media widely reported this position, which official government communications also confirmed.
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, prompting further 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 starts with an initial protest. If needed, it can escalate to recalling the ambassador; in extreme cases, Spain withdraws 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. Normal relations were eventually restored in both cases, 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 and security, alongside trade ties. By making its protest public this time, breaking with usual diplomatic discretion, the Spanish government appears to be warning Rabat while 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.
