Columns Europe Headlines Morocco

Ceuta before Iberian colonialism, a Moroccan city and no terra nullius

Spanish commentators and intellectuals have recently repeated that when Portugal seized Ceuta in 1415, “Morocco did not exist.” The argument transforms a military conquest into the occupation of an empty space, free of political ownership or historical continuity. So as to deny Morocco its historical right to its northern cities, the solution is to make […]

Community Europe Headlines Morocco

Former Ceuta immigration official’s remarks on unaccompanied minors spark controversy

Statements by Ramón Caudevilla, the former head of immigration management in the Spanish-occupied enclave of Ceuta (Sebta), have ignited debate over the handling of unaccompanied minors and irregular migration. Caudevilla, who led the department for 32 years until his retirement in January at age 65, shared his views in an interview with the Spanish newspaper […]

Community Europe Headlines

Scabies Outbreak Hits Spanish Soldiers & Police Deployed in Ceuta

At least 24 Spanish soldiers deployed in Ceuta have contracted scabies, prompting serious concerns about overcrowded and inadequate local accommodation conditions. The itchy skin condition is caused by a mite which burrows under the skin to lay eggs. Highly infectious, scabies can be spread through close physical contact, bedding and clothing. The symptoms include persistent […]

Africa Europe Headlines Morocco

Morocco intercept 294 would-be migrants near Ceuta

Moroccan security forces intercepted 294 candidates for irregular migration in and around Fnideq near occupied Ceuta on Saturday, August 15, as authorities mounted a large-scale operation to prevent any attempted mass crossing toward the Spanish-controlled enclave, a security source told Moroccan media. The updated toll marked a sharp rise from the 111 arrests logged earlier […]

Columns Community Europe Headlines Morocco

Morocco reinforces measures to prevent mass crossing attempts at Ceuta

Moroccan security forces have mounted an exceptional deployment across the country’s northern border region ahead of August 15, a date targeted by viral online calls for coordinated mass crossing attempts into the Spanish-controlled enclave of Ceuta (Sebta). National Police, Royal Gendarmerie and Auxiliary Forces have sharply increased checkpoints and inspections on roads and maritime access […]

Columns Europe Headlines Morocco

Foreign Policy analysis argues Spain should return Ceuta to Morocco after migration crisis

Spain should consider returning Ceuta to Morocco, a Foreign Policy article argues, saying the enclave’s disputed status is an outdated geopolitical anomaly that creates unnecessary tensions and leaves Europe vulnerable to migration pressure at one of its most unusual borders. The analysis, published on Aug. 6, examines the history of Ceuta and its position on […]

Community Europe Headlines Morocco

Mass migrant return from Ceuta as Eldorado myth shattered by racism, violence, and abuse

The bulk majority of the near 60,000 migrants- mostly young Moroccans- who crossed into the Spanish-held enclave of Ceuta this week have streamed back home. Their hopes of a better life in Europe were crushed by hunger, hostility, violence and the harsh realization that conditions on the other side of the colonial barrier were worse […]

Europe Headlines International Morocco

Spain’s Vox wants to expel Moroccans from Ceuta

Spanish far-right party Vox has pushed hate speech to an alarming level asking Madrid to forfeit Moroccans in Ceuta of Spanish nationality and expel them to Morocco. Vox leaders in Ceuta in particular, including local spokesman Carlos Verdugo, have been calling Moroccans in the occupied city a “fifth column,” in reaction to calls by senior […]

Europe Headlines International Morocco

Spanish forces use excessive violence against defenseless migrants in Ceuta

Spain has reacted to the wave of irregular migration in the occupied enclave of Ceuta through excessive use of force deploying its army on the border and using rubber bullets and tear gas, witnesses and local media said. At least 6000 people, mostly Moroccans, crossed to the enclave taking Spanish authorities by surprise. The influx […]

Business Headlines Maghreb Tunisia

A Free zone to end smuggling in Morocco’s north

Morocco is unrelenting in its fight against contraband. The North African country has taken a series of measures to crackdown on smuggling while offering alternatives to the locals, basically trough a free economic zone. Works are already in progress to build the zone, which shall offer retailers in the cities near the occupied enclave of […]