The Felipe VI visit to Occupied Ceuta and Melilla has drawn criticism from two Moroccan political parties. The Left Alliance and the Annajah Democratic Labour Party condemned the Spanish king’s visits on October 13 and 14. Both questioned Spain’s actions and criticised the Moroccan government’s response.
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Felipe VI Visit Draws Criticism From Left Alliance
The Left Alliance brings together the Federation of the Democratic Left and the Unified Socialist Party. In a statement published on October 14, it condemned the Spanish monarch’s visits, according to Moroccan news outlet 24 Saa.
The alliance called the visits provocative. It argued that they aimed to strengthen Spain’s presence in the two cities. It also criticised what it described as the Moroccan government’s silence.
Furthermore, the alliance reaffirmed Morocco’s territorial claims. It said cooperation with Spain and other European Union countries should respect Morocco’s position on Occupied Ceuta and Occupied Melilla.
Annajah Party Issues Separate Condemnation
The Annajah Democratic Labour Party also condemned the visits. Its political bureau issued a separate statement on October 13.
The party described the visits as having “colonial dimensions.” It accused Spain of seeking to impose a fait accompli in the two cities. It also criticised the government’s response and the silence of parties it considers close to the authorities.
However, the statement also addressed domestic issues. The party raised concerns about poverty, unemployment, rising pressure on household budgets and declining public services.
Expert Examines the Impact on Spain-Morocco Ties
The political reactions came amid renewed attention to the status of Occupied Ceuta and Occupied Melilla. Meanwhile, expert Nabil Driouch offered a broader view of the visits and their possible impact on relations between Rabat and Madrid.
In an interview published by 24 Saa on October 14, Driouch said the visits sent messages to Spain’s domestic political scene as well as to Morocco.
He linked the timing to tensions between King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. According to the interview, Sánchez had criticised the king for not visiting Occupied Ceuta since he took the throne in 2014.
Driouch said Spain’s internal political divisions formed part of the context. However, he did not expect the visits to trigger a new diplomatic crisis. He pointed to both countries’ efforts to manage tensions.
He also highlighted the importance of trade, security cooperation and migration management. In addition, he compared the visits with former King Juan Carlos I’s trip to the two cities in 2007. He noted, however, that the political and diplomatic context has since changed.
- Source : 24 saa