Morocco's revived claim to Ceuta and Melilla is not a demand for decolonisation

Join the conversation Become a member

Rabat's territorial ambitions serve its grudge against Madrid over Western Sahara while aligning with US and Israeli hostility towards Spain over its stance on Gaza The recent wave of tens of thousands of Moroccan and other African economic refugees attempting to reach the Spanish settler colony of Ceuta has renewed Moroccan demands that Spain return Ceuta and Melilla, known in Arabic as Sabtah and Maliliah, to Morocco. At least 141 people died in the crossing, while most of those who made it ac