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Morocco’s ambassador to Spain was summoned «urgently», on Monday evening, by the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Cristina Gallach to protest against the statements of Saadeddine El Othmani on Ceuta and Melilla. Gallach asked for «explanations» from the Moroccan diplomat, insisting that «Spain expects all its partners to respect its sovereignty and its territorial integrity».
Interviewed by Saudi channel Asharq, Moroccan Prime Minister El Othmani declared: «Ceuta and Melilla are Moroccans, just like the Sahara». He explained diplomatically that «the status quo that has been going on for five or six centuries» cannot last forever. «The day will come to open» this file, he promised.
La #SEAEIC @cristinagallach ha convocado a la embajadora de #Marruecos en #España, Karima Benyaich, para pedir aclaraciones sobre las declaraciones del primer ministro de ??, Saadeddine El Ohmani, sobre las ciudades de #Ceuta y #Melilla.#Comunicado ➡ https://t.co/LWVfLIgclv pic.twitter.com/MiHTEA9Fop
— Exteriores (@MAECgob) December 21, 2020
In the past, other Moroccan officials addressed Morocco’s sovereignty claims over the two cities without a similar reaction from the Spanish government. In November 2007, former Head of government Abbas El Fassi, and following the visit of former King Juan Carlos I to Ceuta and Melilla, had similar statements.
Spanish government under pressure from right-wing opposition
«Spain must understand that the time of colonialism is over», he hammered in an address presented during an extraordinary session at the House of Representatives devoted to denouncing this Spanish move. «Ceuta and Melilla are an integral part of the national territory and their recovery will be done by direct negotiations as was the case for Tarfaya, Sidi Ifni and for the Moroccan Sahara», El Fassi argued at the time.
Of course, the situation has since changed. The recognition of US President Donald Trump of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara took the Spanish government by surprise to the point that its Foreign Minister is betting on US President-elect Joe Biden to revise this decision.
In an interview, Spanish Foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez stressed that it is up to the next tenant of the White House «to assess the situation and see how he will position himself and work towards a just and lasting solution that does not depend on an alignment for a moment on one camp or the other».
Marruecos reitera que después del Sáhara irá a por Ceuta y Melilla.
— VOX ?? (@vox_es) December 21, 2020
Las pretensiones expansionistas de la tiranía marroquí son un peligro para nuestra soberanía. El enemigo huele el miedo y la cobardía de este Gobierno.
Exigimos una respuesta contundente ante esta amenaza. pic.twitter.com/2PvQthM2DH
The convocation is intended, moreover, to appease the anger of the right-wing opposition in Spain. «Morocco reiterates that after the Sahara, it targets Ceuta and Melilla. The expansionist demands of Morocco are a danger to our sovereignty. The enemy senses the fear and cowardice of this government. We demand a firm response to this threat», wrote Vox, a Spanish far-right political formation.
The same goes for right-wing Partido Popular (People's Party). «Sanchez must respond immediately to the Moroccan Prime Minister's statements. Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla and national territorial integrity are inalienable. The internal division and the international weakness of the PSOE-Podemos government are costing too much», said PP secretary general Pablo Casado.
Sánchez debe responder de inmediato a las declaraciones del primer ministro marroquí.
— Pablo Casado Blanco (@pablocasado_) December 21, 2020
La soberanía española de Ceuta y Melilla, y la integridad territorial nacional es irrenunciable.
La división interna y la debilidad internacional del Gobierno PSOE-Podemos cuesta demasiado cara.
