Ceuta and Melilla: Benabdallah Reaffirms the PPS Position Amid Tensions with Madrid

Sunday 06 September 2026 - 10:18

The issue of Ceuta and Melilla is once again at the heart of Moroccan political debate. Meeting in Ben Tayeb, in the Driouch province, the Secretary General of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah, reiterated his party's stance on the two cities, while warning against rhetoric and actions that could exacerbate relations between Moroccan and Spanish societies.

A Reaffirmed Political Position

During a communication meeting held on Saturday in Ben Tayeb, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah reminded that the PPS considers Ceuta and Melilla as "two occupied Moroccan cities." This position aligns with the party's traditional stance on this territorial issue.

The declaration comes as the question of the two presidencies continues to be a sensitive topic in relations between Morocco and Spain. While relations between Rabat and Madrid have evolved significantly in recent years on various issues, Ceuta and Melilla remain a politically and historically sensitive point.

For the socialist leader, this issue should not justify behaviors that could further deteriorate relations between the two peoples.

Benabdallah Condemns Hostile Demonstrations

Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah also strongly criticized what he describes as actions from "chauvinistic and far-right" circles in Spain.

The political leader notably mentioned the circulation of images showing a torn Moroccan flag during demonstrations. For him, such gestures go beyond the realm of political protest and can contribute to fueling hostility between the populations.

His warning is thus less about a simple episode of tension than about the possible consequences of an increase in symbolic provocations. According to the Secretary General of the PPS, this climate could foster "division," "anxiety," and "unrest," with the ultimate risk of seeing a conflict arise between the two societies.

The Specter of New Tensions

Through this intervention, the PPS leader makes a dual reminder: that of his party's position on the Moroccan identity of Ceuta and Melilla, but also of the necessity to prevent political tensions from transforming into popular confrontations.

The subject remains particularly delicate due to its identity and territorial dimensions. Reactions from both sides can quickly exceed the institutional framework and fuel tensions in public opinion.

By reaffirming the PPS's claim while condemning acts perceived as hostile to Morocco, Benabdallah places his intervention on a ground of political firmness, but also calls for restraint.

A Still Sensitive Issue Between Rabat and Madrid

The question of Ceuta and Melilla retains a unique place in Moroccan political debate. These two cities, administered by Spain and located on Morocco's northern coast, have long been a dossier with significant historical and diplomatic weight.

Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah's statement thus comes in a context where every declaration or demonstration related to the two presidencies is likely to take on a broader political dimension. For the PPS, defending the Moroccan position remains clearly relevant, while the party simultaneously warns against rhetoric that could deteriorate relations between Moroccans and Spaniards.