On August 24, during the religious ceremony marking the anniversary of the Prophet’s birth at the Royal Palace in Rabat, Morocco’s Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Taoufik, invoked Qadi Ayyad—one of Morocco’s most important religious and intellectual figures, born in Ceuta. The reference carries a historical reminder: Sebta (Ceuta) & Melilia (Melilla) are Moroccan cities whose history and ties to Morocco long predate Spanish rule. Their continued Spanish control remains an unresolved legacy of Iberian expansionism on Moroccan soil. No one can erase the centuries of history that preceded Spanish rule. And the issue does not concern only Ceuta & Melilla. Spain still controls smaller possessions along Morocco’s northern coast: the Al-Hoceima islets (Peñón de Alhucemas), the Rock of Badis (Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera), the Chafarinas Islands (Islas Chafarinas),& Leila Island (Isla Perejil). Morocco did not regain it’s independence with only the northern issue unresolved. The Rif, Western Sahara, Tarfaya, Sidi Ifni and other territories passed through Spanish colonial rule and decolonisation. Sidi Ifni was returned to Morocco in 1969. Spain did not leave the Sahara without consequences. The end of Spanish colonial rule was followed by the curious appearance of the Polisario Front, whose leadership established itself in Algeria and self-proclaimed a republic in exile. Its leader, Brahim Ghali, was granted Spanish nationality in 2004, adding another layer to Spain’s involvement with the separatist movement. The Western Sahara file Morocco had taken to the UN as a decolonisation issue remained frozen, while Morocco faced the consequences of the colonial division of the territory & its surrounding waters. Spain is therefore the current colonial power in Moroccan northern possessions and the former colonial power in other regions. Yet it portrays Morocco’s demand for decolonisation as “imperialist” or “expansionist”—a reversal of historical vocabulary that can serve the colonial status quo. Morocco predates the unified Spanish state by seven centuries. Yet colonial narratives can make the history of one of the world’s oldest continuing kingdoms appear to begin with Iberian arrival or the protectorates—as if Morocco only became historically relevant when Europeans arrived in Africa. When Morocco speaks about recovering territories, the language becomes “aggression,” “expansion” or “Greater Morocco.” Yet Spain itself expanded into northern Morocco, established colonial rule over the Rif and Sahara, and retained enclaves and possessions along Morocco’s coast. Morocco deliberately chose moderation, dialogue and cooperation with Spain. But that patience is a diplomatic strategy—not a renunciation of territorial claims. Morocco is not seeking Spanish territory in Europe; it is contesting Spain’s continued occupation of territories along Morocco’s northern coastline. Calling Morocco “expansionist” while defending territories acquired through centuries of Iberian expansion is difficult to ignore. The issue is the narrative. Colonial Spain used military and political power, but also legal frameworks and language such as “rights,” “freedoms,” and humanitarian rhetoric to legitimise or preserve its colonial position. Even Spain’s recent recognition of Palestine has been used by parts of the Western left to reverse the narrative: presenting Spain as the humanitarian defender while portraying Morocco as the “aggressor.” Morocco’s long history of supporting Palestine—including King Mohammed VI’s role as Chairman of the OIC Al-Quds Committee—is overlooked, while Morocco’s centuries of refuge for Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain are twisted into a supposed Morocco–Jewish–Israel conspiracy against a “righteous” Spain—the colonial power. Humanitarian rhetoric cannot erase colonial history, and Morocco’s choice of diplomacy and cooperation should never be mistaken for acceptance of colonialism or abandonment of its territories.

Cuba 🇨🇺has been a key backer of Algeria’s aggressions against Morocco’s territorial integrity🇲🇦,from the Sand War to Alger’s Polisario/Sadr separatist plan. Cuba sent troops & took Moroccan Sahrawi children to Cuba…Decades later,Cuba still funds hostility while its people suffer

A Historic First 🇲🇦: Morocco’s First Female Head of Government Represents the King at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow

On October 25, 1971, the late King Hassan II 🇲🇦 addressed the UN in support of China’s legitimate rights, ahead of the adoption of Resolution 2758 restoring the PRC’s representation at the UN. A historic moment in Moroccan-Chinese relations 🇲🇦🇨🇳