Diplomat and former director of the National Intelligence Center (CNI), Jorge Dezcallar, argues that Morocco "will never abandon" its claims on Ceuta and Melilla, despite Spain’s support for the Sahara autonomy plan .
Spanish soldiers deployed in Ceuta and Melilla, and those who have served in the garrisons of the Al Hoceima rock and the Chaffarines islands, fear that the government of Pedro Sanchez, in its dynamic of appeasement of tensions with Morocco, will cede them to the kingdom.
The government spokeswoman, Isabel Rodriguez, reiterated on Thursday the government’s satisfaction with having changed its position on the Sahara, stressing that this decision aims to defend the interests of Spaniards in general and of Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands and Andalusia in particular.
Pending an official decision, companies are preparing for the reopening of Moroccan maritime borders with Ceuta and Melilla and for the Marhaba Operation dedicated to MREs.
Spain has decided this Tuesday to extend the closure of the borders of Ceuta and Melilla with Morocco until April 30.
The number of domestic workers in Melilla has fallen by 80% since the closure of the border with Morocco, from 1,711 Moroccan women at the end of February 2020, to only 500 currently.
After succeeding in obtaining Spain’s support for the Sahara autonomy plan , Morocco would have planned to let time pass before launching an offensive to recover Ceuta and Melilla.
The Vox party condemned on Friday the decision of the government of Pedro Sanchez to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, also demanding the withdrawal of a map of Morocco integrating Ceuta and Melilla from the website of the embassy in Madrid.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares will travel to Rabat on April 1 to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Morocco. In particular, this trip will allow the reopening of the borders with Ceuta and Melilla and the resumption of maritime links and therefore the Marhaba Operation dedicated to Moroccans Residing Abroad.
Javier Otazu, former EFE agency correspondent in Rabat and currently posted in New York, believes that Morocco is attached to the Sahara and has managed to change Spain’s mind on this issue, but will never renounce its claim on Ceuta and Melilla.
A Spanish newspaper argues that Morocco will not renounce its claims on Ceuta and Melilla, as it assured Spain after the change in Spain’s position on the Sahara .
In his letter addressed to King Mohammed VI to declare Spain’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, considered as the "most serious, credible and realistic" solution to the conflict, President Pedro Sanchez does not expressly mention at any point the situation of Ceuta and Melilla. Here is a free translation of the letter.