Spain has ruled out negotiations over the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, rejecting renewed calls from Morocco for dialogue over the two Spanish-controlled territories on Africa’s northern coast.

Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said Rabat continues to raise the status of the enclaves with Madrid and believes the longstanding dispute should eventually be resolved through negotiations.

Spain, however, has firmly rejected any suggestion that the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla is open for discussion, setting the stage for renewed diplomatic tensions between the two neighbors.

Morocco Renews Calls for Talks Over Ceuta and Melilla

Morocco has maintained a longstanding claim to Ceuta and Melilla, viewing the territories as remnants of European colonial rule in North Africa.

Rabat has disputed Spanish sovereignty over the enclaves since Morocco gained independence from France and Spain in 1956, periodically raising the issue during diplomatic exchanges with Madrid.

Ouahbi’s latest comments signal that Morocco has not abandoned its position despite improved relations between the two countries in recent years.

The minister said the issue continues to be discussed with Spanish officials and argued that dialogue should ultimately provide a path toward resolving the dispute.

Spain Says Sovereignty Is Not Up for Negotiation

Madrid responded firmly to Morocco’s renewed position.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, speaking during a visit to Ceuta, described the territory as unequivocally Spanish.

Spain’s Foreign Ministry reinforced that position, saying the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty would not be subject to negotiation.

Ceuta and Melilla are autonomous Spanish cities located on the North African coast and represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.

Their location has made the territories strategically important to Spain while also placing them at the center of recurring diplomatic, migration and border-security disputes with Morocco.

Migration Crisis Adds to Ceuta-Melilla Tensions

The sovereignty dispute has resurfaced amid heightened concerns over migration along the Spanish-Moroccan border.

Ceuta recently experienced a major migration crisis in which tens of thousands of people reportedly attempted to cross from Morocco, overwhelming security and border infrastructure.

At least 96 people were reported to have died during the episode, adding to concerns over the dangers facing migrants attempting to enter the Spanish territories.

The crisis again demonstrated how migration can become intertwined with the broader political relationship between Spain and Morocco.

Morocco Tightens Security Ahead of August 15

Moroccan authorities have since increased security around Ceuta and Melilla following online calls for another attempted mass border crossing on August 15.

The heightened security measures are intended to prevent a repeat of the earlier crisis and reduce the risk of further deaths at the border.

For Spain and Morocco, however, the latest exchange over sovereignty underscores a dispute that remains unresolved despite cooperation between the two countries on migration, security and trade.

With Rabat continuing to call for dialogue and Madrid insisting that Spanish sovereignty is non-negotiable, Ceuta and Melilla remain one of the most sensitive issues in Spain-Morocco relations.