Recent tensions over the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have reignited a historical debate that challenges Morocco's official narrative. The two cities, located on the North African coast, have been under Spanish sovereignty for centuries, with Ceuta falling to Portugal in 1415 and then to Spain in 1668, while Melilla was taken by Spain in 1497. These dates predate the consolidation of the modern Moroccan state, which emerged in the 17th century under the Alaouite dynasty.
Morocco has long claimed both cities as its own, citing geographic proximity and historical ties. However, historians point out that the cities were never part of the Moroccan empire before Spanish rule. The Treaty of Wad Ras (1860) and subsequent agreements recognized Spanish sovereignty over the enclaves, a status that has been maintained despite Morocco's periodic demands for their return.
The recent crisis, which saw a mass crossing of migrants into Ceuta in May 2021, highlighted the strategic use of these territories by Morocco as a pressure tool against Spain. The Spanish government, backed by the European Union, has insisted on the inviolability of its borders and the European status of the enclaves.
As of August 2026, the situation remains tense, with no formal negotiations on the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla. Spain's position is that the cities are integral parts of its territory, a stance supported by the EU treaties. Morocco, for its part, continues to raise the issue in international forums, but without a clear path to resolution.
