The Only Lasting Solution for Ceuta and Melilla: Their Peaceful Return to Moroccan Sovereignty
The question of Sebta (Ceuta) and Melilla has remained one of the last unresolved colonial issues on the African continent. A durable, peaceful, and forward-looking solution lies in the return of both cities to Moroccan sovereignty through dialogue, mutual respect, and international cooperation.
The Only Lasting Solution for Ceuta and Melilla: Their Peaceful Return to Moroccan Sovereignty
The question of Sebta (Ceuta) and Melilla has remained one of the last unresolved colonial issues on the African continent. A durable, peaceful, and forward-looking solution lies in the return of both cities to Moroccan sovereignty through dialogue, mutual respect, and international cooperation.
The reality on the ground has changed significantly over the years. Morocco today provides much of the water, food supplies, labor, and economic environment upon which both cities depend. Their prosperity is closely linked to the surrounding Moroccan regions, making their separation increasingly artificial from a geographical and economic perspective.
The historical and political symbolism is equally striking. No reigning King of Spain has made an official visit to Sebta and Melilla as an ordinary part of the Spanish state comparable to mainland provinces, reflecting the political sensitivity surrounding their status.
Spain has consistently maintained that Gibraltar should be returned to Spanish sovereignty, arguing that territorial integrity and the end of historical anomalies are important principles. It is therefore reasonable to ask why the same principle should not apply to Sebta and Melilla—territories located on the African continent and historically and geographically belonging to Morocco.
A negotiated settlement need not undermine the rights or welfare of the inhabitants. The current residents could retain their Spanish citizenship while living under Moroccan sovereignty, much as dual or foreign citizenship arrangements exist in many parts of the world. They would become subject to Morocco's constitutional order and laws while preserving their cultural, linguistic, and personal ties with Spain.
Those residents who would prefer to relocate to mainland Spain should be offered full assistance by both governments, including support for housing, employment, and social integration. Such measures would ensure that any transition is humane, voluntary, and respectful of individual choice.
The return of Sebta and Melilla to Morocco would not represent a victory for one nation over another. Rather, it could become a model of peaceful decolonization, regional cooperation, and reconciliation between two close neighbors. By replacing a lingering territorial dispute with a mutually agreed settlement, Morocco and Spain could strengthen their partnership across the Mediterranean and demonstrate that diplomacy remains the best path to resolving historical conflicts.
Adil Abdel Aati
Deputy Secretary General,
African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress
3 August 2026