Moroccan nationalists push for independence of Spanish enclaves

The Moroccan nationalist Committee for the Liberation of two cities under Spanish governance has officially returned, now under a new name and with an expanded mission.

According to Yabiladi on July 14th, the group has rebranded as the Coordination Committee for the Defense of the Kingdom’s Causes, relaunching on July 12th. Previously disbanded in 2014 after organising symbolic actions, the committee now aims to oppose not only Spanish control of Ceuta and Melilla but also what it calls Algerian-backed separatism.

Spokesperson Rachid Hssaine said the revival was triggered by “the participation of a Polisario delegation at the recent congress of Spain’s People’s Party in Madrid.” He called it a turning point for Moroccan nationalist mobilisation. The Polisario Front is a movement supported by Algeria that has sought independence for Western Sahara since the 1970s, challenging Morocco’s claim to the territory.

Tensions between Morocco and Spain remain high. In 2021, Spain angered Morocco by allowing Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to receive medical care there. In 2023, Morocco criticised an EU official’s statement calling Ceuta and Melilla Spanish, prompting a diplomatic protest from Spain.

More recently, Spain’s far-right party Vox demanded Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemn the revived Moroccan committee, while Spanish opposition parties accused Vox of stirring anti-Maghreb migrant sentiment. During a plenary session in the House of Representatives on July 9th, Vox leader Santiago Abascal issued a warning about what he called a possible “invasion” of Ceuta and Melilla.

On July 15th, José Miguel Tasende, spokesperson for Vox’s Melilla branch, criticised the Moroccan organization during a press appearance. He referred to the newly renamed committee as “a threat” to Spain and accused it of being “an absurd tool aimed at attacking the autonomous cities.” Tasende also emphasised that his party remains fully committed to defending the interests of Ceuta and Melilla.

Yabiladi, Reuters, Maghrebi.org