Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi’s latest comments on Sebta and Melilla have done more than spark controversy—they’ve thrust the long-standing territorial dispute back into Spain’s political spotlight.

In a Tuesday interview with Asharq Bloomberg, Ouahbi reiterated Morocco’s position that the two cities remain integral parts of the Kingdom, affirming Rabat’s willingness to engage in negotiations with Madrid. He emphasized that the issue remains « on the table » and should be addressed through dialogue and patience. Ouahbi also criticized Spain’s handling of the late July migrant crisis, particularly its failure to repatriate unaccompanied Moroccan minors, while stressing that Morocco cannot serve as Europe’s migration enforcement arm.

The Spanish opposition has seized on these remarks. The Popular Party (PP) is demanding that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government summon Morocco’s ambassador for urgent consultations, drawing parallels with Madrid’s swift reaction to Italy’s Schengen suspension earlier this year. PP lawmaker Jaime de los Santos, speaking in Barcelona, questioned why Spain had not taken similar action against Morocco, given the recent border chaos at Sebta and Ouahbi’s sovereignty claims.

Beyond this demand, the PP has filed written questions to Congress, pressuring Justice Minister Félix Bolaños to clarify all recent communications with his Moroccan counterpart. The opposition is also highlighting Ouahbi’s alleged threat to suspend the bilateral extradition treaty—a cornerstone, in their view, for managing the return of those who breached the border fence.

With Spain’s ruling party resisting calls for a tougher stance, the diplomatic standoff shows no signs of easing. The PP is weaponizing the dispute to challenge the government’s foreign policy, while Sánchez’s administration treads carefully, avoiding the hardline demands favored by the right.