Melilla’s president Juan José Imbroda announced the signing of a joint manifesto by Melilla and Ceuta on 22 September 2026 The document aims to affirm the belonging to Spain and the belonging to the European Union of both autonomous cities. Imbroda said at a rally in Melilla that he was in close contact with Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas; both wanted to make their position visible “throughout Spain, throughout Europe and throughout the world”. He did not specify any passages from the text.
The initiative follows mass border crossings at the Ceuta border in late July and the subsequent political disputes in Spain. Since then, public rallies and statements about the situation of the two exclaves have taken place in several cities. Local media representatives report that the planned document is intended to emphasise the cities’ historic, current and future place in Spain’s constitutional order and European structures.
The announcement has drawn mixed political reactions. Opposition figures in Melilla are calling for the initiative to be put on a broader parliamentary footing and not driven solely by the city government. Supporters argue that a joint manifesto would focus attention and sharpen the debate on security, border management and state support in Madrid and Brussels. It remains unclear whether the respective city assemblies will formally endorse the document or whether only the city governments will sign it.
Further talks between Melilla and Ceuta to draft the text and decide where it will be signed have been announced for the coming days. Issues of sovereignty, relations with Morocco, cooperation with the central government and European border policy are likely to feature. Practical matters are also under discussion, including responsibilities for migration and border security, as well as financial support. The political impact of the move will depend on the final wording, who signs it and the response from national and European institutions.
One thing is clear: with the announced date, Melilla and Ceuta have set a clear timetable. The move is intended to make their position visible amid a heated situation; whether it amounts to more than a symbolic gesture will depend on the negotiations ahead – and on how Madrid and Brussels respond.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).