Morocco Steadfast on Sahara and Ceuta-Melilla Claims, Expert Says

"Morocco does not care about the price to pay. It will assume it, because the Sahara issue guides all its foreign and domestic policy," Otazu said in an interview with El Independiente, commenting on Spain’s recent decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. The former EFE agency correspondent in Rabat does not think that in return for this change in Spain’s position, Morocco has made a commitment to respect the territorial integrity of Ceuta and Melilla. "Everything suggests that it was a verbal and unwritten agreement," he specified.

To read: Spain Backs Morocco’s Sahara Plan as Territorial Dispute Eases

"I have not seen so far a solemn declaration by Morocco in which it commits to respect the territorial integrity of the two cities. And for those who know Morocco a little, this is unlikely to happen. For Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla are simply part of Moroccan territory," Otazu developed, stressing that Morocco has "always won its arm wrestling" with much more powerful countries than it, such as the United States, France, Germany, over the past ten years. "It’s surprising, because it’s a small country whose great asset is its strategic location in North Africa. But its diplomacy plays very hard and always plays to win," he added.

To read: Spanish Newspaper Challenges Morocco’s Commitment to Ceuta and Melilla Sovereignty

Otazu also says he does not understand why Spain has chosen this context of energy crisis to carry out this turnaround. "I don’t see what the immediate gains are for Spain," he explains, warning of the possible reprisals from Algeria which, "during the next contract renegotiations, could well favor other companies in the sector instead of Repsol and Cepsa, established in Spain for decades."