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Spanish government reaffirms sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla in response to Morocco

Spain has rejected Moroccan claims over Ceuta and Melilla, reaffirming its sovereignty over the autonomous cities.

21 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Spanish government reaffirms sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla in response to Morocco — Archive photoPhoto: Anarkangel · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Spanish government has responded to statements made by Morocco's Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, who claimed a "historical right" of Morocco over Ceuta and Melilla. Through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, Spain has conveyed its rejection of any proposals that question its sovereignty over these cities.

Sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have stated that Ceuta and Melilla are part of Spain's territorial integrity and that there is nothing to mediate on this issue. The responses were channeled diplomatically, emphasizing the firm stance of the Spanish government.

This reaction follows Ouahbi's statements made on Friday, in which he advocated for dialogue regarding the sovereignty of the autonomous cities. The Spanish Executive considers such claims to be unacceptable.

The Spanish rejection has been described as "categorical" and reaffirms a historic position of the country regarding Morocco's claims over these locales.

For its part, Morocco, which believes that Ceuta and Melilla should be part of its territory, has made several statements on this issue in recent years, but Spanish authorities continue to uphold their position on the sovereignty of the cities.

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