In Rabat, this August was marked by the typical silence that invades the capital during summer, when half the country is on vacation. It is also the usual silence that Moroccan authorities impose in moments of tension, as occurred during the crisis that Rabat and Madrid experienced in 2022. This silence is calculated and measured, in which the few words spoken by officials or actions are calculated to the millimeter. A response in which there is no improvisation.
In just one month, Morocco went from protocolary silence to claiming the "historical right" over Ceuta and Melilla. This change represents a significant alteration in the country's posture regarding the Spanish cities in North Africa. Moroccan authorities changed the tone of their public statements, moving from a contained approach to a more assertive position on territorial sovereignty.
The transition reflects a deliberate strategy on the part of Rabat, which uses silence as a diplomatic tool during periods of greater sensitivity. When necessary, the country opts for a carefully calibrated communication, avoiding statements that could escalate conflicts. This approach allowed Morocco to manage its territorial claims gradually and in a controlled manner.
The previous crisis between Morocco and Spain in 2022 demonstrated how the North African country knows how to modulate its response according to circumstances. The recent claim of the "historical right" over Ceuta and Melilla comes as part of this broader strategy of territorial assertion, using a specific moment to make its pretensions heard in a more direct manner.
