The recent report issued by a congressman closely affiliated with Donald Trump has ignited significant reactions in Morocco, where it is interpreted as a strong indication that the United States is backing Rabat's claims over the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Observers in Morocco are drawing parallels to the situation in Western Sahara, where Trump previously endorsed Moroccan sovereignty. The report, authored by Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, states that while Ceuta and Melilla are administered by Spain, they are situated on 'Moroccan territory' and remain subjects of Morocco's ongoing claims.
Furthermore, the document urges Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a key figure in Trump's foreign policy, to facilitate a diplomatic agreement between Spain and Morocco regarding the future status of these two cities. This perspective aligns with Morocco's long-standing assertions of sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, suggesting a shift in diplomatic dynamics. The timing of this report coincides with a notable decline in relations between the Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, and the U.S. administration, particularly following disagreements over defense investments and Spain's position on the Iran conflict, including its refusal to support U.S. military aircraft in Rota and Morón.
Simultaneously, the United States is strengthening its strategic relationship with Morocco, recognizing it as a natural ally in the region to counter various threats, including jihadist terrorism, irregular migration flows, and the growing influence of China and Russia in Africa. As previously reported by Vozpópuli, the U.S. and Morocco are preparing for a military summit scheduled for December in Washington. This meeting, part of the bilateral Defense Advisory Committee, aims to bolster military cooperation and establish a roadmap for expanding arms and operational collaboration amidst increasing political and military alignment between Washington and Rabat.
It has also been revealed that a White House adviser has prepared a dossier for President Trump that includes references to Ceuta and Melilla that are favorable to Morocco's interests. This report has reportedly been discussed at the President's residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. In this delicate balance between Madrid and Rabat—a pronounced conflict with Spain contrasted by a burgeoning relationship with Morocco—Trump's circle subtly hints at their position regarding Ceuta and Melilla. The news has triggered a wave of reactions in Morocco, where many view this as a new 'diplomatic context' that favors King Mohammed VI's interests.
Moroccan government-affiliated media are taking for granted U.S. support for their ambitions, recalling how Trump previously endorsed King Mohammed VI's sovereignty plan for Western Sahara. This endorsement occurred in December 2020, at the end of Trump's first term in office, as part of a broader diplomatic agreement that included the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel following the Abraham Accords. The backing from the Trump administration was pivotal in garnering additional support from neighboring countries for Morocco's stance on Western Sahara.
This burgeoning relationship has led Moroccan commentators to draw parallels between the situations in Western Sahara and Ceuta and Melilla, with Moroccan press asserting that the two autonomous cities are under 'Spanish colonization' and referring to them as 'occupied territories' or 'prisons.' It is not uncommon for Moroccan leaders to vocalize their claims over Ceuta and Melilla, with notable instances including a letter from a high-ranking Moroccan Foreign Affairs official to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, describing Melilla as an 'occupied prison.' This claim, which Rabat does not shy away from, has gained momentum following Morocco's recent international support for its Western Sahara plan and is now resurfacing vigorously in Morocco, aiming—at the very least—to initiate discussions about the sovereignty of these Spanish autonomous cities.
As reported by vozpopuli.com.
