Morocco’s Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has never shied away from controversy, but his recent statements about Ceuta and Melilla have sent shockwaves through Spain, thrusting this decades-old dispute back into the political spotlight in Madrid.

In a Tuesday interview with Asharq Bloomberg, Ouahbi asserted that Rabat remains committed to negotiating with Madrid over the status of the two North African cities, which Morocco claims as its own. He emphasized that this issue remains « on the table » within a framework of dialogue and patience. He also pointed to Spain’s handling of the late July migration crisis, particularly regarding the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors, and warned that Morocco cannot continue to serve as Europe’s migration police.

The Spanish People’s Party (PP) has seized on these remarks, demanding that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government summon Morocco’s ambassador for urgent consultations. The party’s move comes amid ongoing tensions over both the reaffirmed Moroccan position on the enclaves and the recent migrant influx at the Ceuta border.

During a visit to Barcelona, PP deputy Jaime de los Santos confronted the government with its own recent actions. He highlighted Madrid’s swift response in summoning Italy’s ambassador after Rome suspended the Schengen agreement, questioning why a similar response hadn’t been extended to Morocco despite the massive migrant surge at Ceuta and Ouahbi’s sovereignty statements.

The PP isn’t stopping at this demand. The party has filed written questions in the Congress of Deputies, pressing Justice Minister Félix Bolaños to explain the government’s exchanges with his Moroccan counterpart since the recent crisis, as well as the steps taken in response to Ouahbi’s remarks on the enclaves’ status.

Another grievance raised by the conservative party is the alleged threat by the Moroccan minister to suspend the extradition agreement between Rabat and Madrid—a tool the PP argues is essential for organizing the return of individuals who breached the border fence.

The dispute shows no signs of resolution, with Spain’s opposition seeking to turn the diplomatic saga into a weapon against the Sánchez government, while the administration has so far resisted calls from the right for a firmer stance.