Spain kept Ceuta and Melilla because they are strategically located on the North African coast and serve as crossroads for the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.
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Spain has historically kept control of the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla for strategic reasons. According to Dr. Peter Thompson, a historian at the University of Sheffield, “Spain has always regarded North Africa as its backyard.” These cities are located on the coast of North Africa and serve as crossroads for the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, making them of great strategic importance.
In addition to their strategic significance, Ceuta and Melilla have a rich history, having been occupied by various empires and civilizations throughout the centuries. For example, the Phoenicians settled in the area around 1000 BC, and the cities were later conquered by the Carthaginians, Romans, and Visigoths. The cities also played a significant role during the Islamic period, as they were controlled by the Marinid dynasty in the 14th century, and later by the Wattasids in the 15th century.
Despite attempts by Morocco to reclaim these territories, Spain has consistently maintained its control over them. While there have been occasional disputes and tensions over the years, the Spanish government has argued that these cities are an integral part of its territory. As former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stated in 2013, “Ceuta and Melilla are Spain… they are not up for negotiation, not now, not ever.”
Overall, the decision to retain control over Ceuta and Melilla is rooted in Spain’s historical and strategic interests in the region.
Table:
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Located on the North African coast |
| Geopolitics | Serve as crossroads for the Mediterranean |
| and Atlantic regions | |
| History | Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, |
| Marinids, and Wattasids have controlled the | |
| territories at various points in history | |
| International | Morocco has disputed Spain’s control over the |
| relations | territories |
| Political | Spain argues that Ceuta and Melilla are integral |
| stance | parts of its territory |
Quote: “Spain has always regarded North Africa as its backyard.” – Dr. Peter Thompson, historian at the University of Sheffield
Note: The above information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the current political situation.
Watch a video on the subject
The video explores the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla located on the Moroccan coast. Despite being located in Africa, residents of these cities are Spanish, pay with Euros, speak Spanish and fly the Spanish flag. Spain’s sovereignty over these cities pre-dates Europe’s colonization of Africa. Morocco considers the cities illegally held by Spain, but the people of Ceuta overwhelmingly wish to remain with Spain. The complex relationship between Spain and Morocco over these cities has caused tension between the two countries, with issues including water rights and the recent closing of the northern land border with Spain due in part to Morocco’s anger towards Spain.
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Ceuta sits right on the Strait of Gibraltar, directly across the sea from the British territory. In fact, both cities have served over the years as military and trade enclaves for Spain, linking Africa to Europe, and with sizeable military populations.
Morocco continues to claim possession of both enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. Spain argues that its historical presence at these specific locations predates the existence of the modern country of Morocco and therefore refuses to turn over the cities.
Morocco continues to claim possession of both enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. Spain argues that its historical presence at these specific locations predates the existence of the modern country of Morocco and therefore refuses to turn over the cities.
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Why does Spain still own Ceuta and Melilla?
Response: 1688 – Ceuta remains under Spanish control after the union between Portugal and Spain ends. 1936 – Melilla is the first Spanish town where the military garrison revolts against the Popular Front Government at the start of the Spanish Civil War. 1956 – Spain retains Ceuta and Melilla after Morocco becomes independent.
Why does Spain own Melilla?
Melilla was the first Spanish town to rise against the Popular Front government in July 1936, thus helping precipitate the Spanish Civil War. Melilla was retained by Spain as an exclave when Morocco attained independence in 1956.
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Why did Spain take Ceuta?
Answer: Because of Ceuta’s commercial importance in ivory, gold, and slaves, it was continually disputed until Portugal gained control (1415). The port passed to Spain in 1580 and was assigned to Spain in the Treaty of Lisbon (1688).
Why does Spain have 2 cities in Africa?
The two enclaves—Ceuta and Melilla—have been under Spanish control for more than 400 years. Located on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar, the cities offered protection for Spanish ships and provided posts for trading between Europe and Africa.
What happened to Melilla and Ceuta?
Melilla first fell under Spanish rule in 1497 and Ceuta in 1668 after Portugal gave it to Spain under the Treaty of Lisbon. But once Morocco gained its independence in 1956 after decades of rule by the French and Spanish, Spain refused to include Melilla and Ceuta as Moroccan territories.
Is Ceuta and Melilla part of Spain?
As a response to this: When Morocco gained independence in 1956, following more than four decades of rule by Spain and France, Spain refused to include Ceuta and Melilla in the handover. Madrid asserts that both territories are integral parts of Spain and have the same status as the semi-autonomous districts on its mainland, such as the Basque and Catalan regions.
When did Melilla become a Spanish Town?
Response to this: 1936 – Melilla is the first Spanish town where the military garrison revolts against the Popular Front Government at the start of the Spanish Civil War. 1956 – Spain retains Ceuta and Melilla after Morocco becomes independent. 1995 – Spain approves Statute of Autonomy for Ceuta and Melilla.
What dynasty ruled Ceuta and Melilla?
5th Century – Ceuta and Melilla are successively colonised by the Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans. 8th Century – Ceuta is ruled by various Berber and Arab dynasties. 1415 – Portugal seizes control of Ceuta. 1497 – Spain conquers Melilla, a long history of attacks and siege by Muslim forces follows.
What happened to Melilla and Ceuta?
Melilla first fell under Spanish rule in 1497 and Ceuta in 1668 after Portugal gave it to Spain under the Treaty of Lisbon. But once Morocco gained its independence in 1956 after decades of rule by the French and Spanish, Spain refused to include Melilla and Ceuta as Moroccan territories.
Is Ceuta and Melilla part of Spain?
As an answer to this: When Morocco gained independence in 1956, following more than four decades of rule by Spain and France, Spain refused to include Ceuta and Melilla in the handover. Madrid asserts that both territories are integral parts of Spain and have the same status as the semi-autonomous districts on its mainland, such as the Basque and Catalan regions.
Why was Melilla a Spanish Town?
In reply to that: In 1921 during the Rif War, Moroccan tribes under the leadership of Abd el-Krim almost captured the town. Melilla was the first Spanish town to rise against the Popular Front government in July 1936, thus helping precipitate the Spanish Civil War. Melilla was retained by Spain as an exclave when Morocco attained independence in 1956.
What dynasty ruled Ceuta and Melilla?
Answer will be: 5th Century – Ceuta and Melilla are successively colonised by the Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans. 8th Century – Ceuta is ruled by various Berber and Arab dynasties. 1415 – Portugal seizes control of Ceuta. 1497 – Spain conquers Melilla, a long history of attacks and siege by Muslim forces follows.