Leila is just an outcrop of rocks measuring 12.5 hectares 150 meters off the Moroccan coast. The huge rock with hardly any strategic importance is the home for reptiles and amphibious creatures. Smugglers and illegal immigrants found it a secret haven for their flight to and fro the European mainland.
On July 12, Moroccan government opened a surveillance post with 12 soldiers on the rock, which is a part of Morocco. Quite surprisingly, Spain reacted with the dispatch of a fleet of battleships accompanied by aircraft to occupy the island after evicting the Moroccans.
The event triggered an international furor while the European Union supported Spain, the Arab countries rallied behind Morocco demanding an immediate end to the crisis so that it should not go out of hand. The incident has proved once again that the colonial mindset of the old European powers still persists. They do not want to keep their forces away from their old colonies.
The Leila island has once more brought to surface the smoldering dispute and tension between the two neighboring countries particularly over the sovereignty of the Ceuta and Melilla, illegal immigration from Morocco to Spain, drug mafias, dispute over the Polisario, refusal of Morocco to renew the fishing agreement with the EU countries in addition to the right for prospecting in the sea surrounding the Canary islands.
Despite disagreements on several issues, the North African country has been following a quiet diplomacy in its relations with its European neighbor. Morocco has made it clear that it wanted to stick to the declaration of 1956 and agreements of 1960 and 1991 with Spain.
It is quiet obvious that Moroccan move to set up an observation post did not alter the status quo as the huge rock is a recognized Moroccan land. The island was also freed when the Spaniards pulled out from the Moroccan soil in 1956. There is no map showing Leila as part of Spain. The self-rule regulations for the occupied Ceuta and Melilla never mentioned that Spain had a remaining colonial claim on Leila.
One wonders why Morocco selected this particular time to make the surprise move. Political analysts come up with several theories to answer the question. Some people believe that it is a reaction to the Spanish military maneuvers close to another occupied island, which is less than 60 meters off the Moroccan mainland.
On the other hand, Moroccan officials maintains that theoutpost was set up as part of the security operations to stop the criminal gang of drug traffickers, money launderers and illegal immigrants about whom EU nations have been complaining.
Whatever was the motive of the Moroccan move which did not violate the international law or agreements with Spain, the Leila crisis has brought to the fore not only the colonial designs of Spain but also it has uncovered the Spanish intention to go against the interests of Morocco. The event also pointed to Spain’s sincerity about the maintenance of peace in the Mediterranean.
Consequently, the dispute over the tiny island has put the partnership of the European countries on the Mediterranean on a severe test. Its ramifications will reflect on the future of this partnership. The consequences will be much more dangerous and far reaching if hectic diplomatic efforts are not made to contain them.
