Spain maintains two autonomous city enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, on the northern coast of Africa, along with the Plazas de Soberanía — a group of rocky islands including the Chafarinas Islands, Alhucemas Islands, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera. These are the only European territories on African soil and border Morocco.
While Spain asserts sovereignty over these territories, Morocco has not recognized this claim and has demanded their return since gaining independence from France in 1956. The territorial dispute has been a persistent source of tension between Madrid and Rabat.
Last week, tensions escalated after more than 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, intensifying the strained relations. The surge has also led to a rise in migrant deaths, with reports indicating 72 fatalities following the border surge.
A commentator noted that for Spain, maintaining these enclaves is symbolically important as they reinforce Spanish grandeur and its imperial legacy, which the state views as a bearer of civilization contrasting with barbarism. This perspective is linked to the historical narrative of Christopher Columbus, representing the Catholic Monarchs, who is credited with 'discovering' America.
Samir Bennis, a senior political adviser based in Washington, DC, co-founder of Morocco World News, and expert on Morocco’s foreign policy, said Morocco’s claims over Ceuta and Melilla have frequently complicated bilateral relations since independence. He suggested that had Moroccan leaders in the early 1960s pursued the matter more vigorously at the United Nations, seeking recognition of these cities as colonial territories, the impact on relations might have been different.
The situation remains complex, with Spain holding firm to its sovereignty claims and Morocco continuing to press for the return of the enclaves.
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