Ceuta at the Center of Spain’s Border and Unity Debate

French National Rally president Jordan Bardella visited Spain for talks with Vox leader Santiago Abascal, placing migration and border security at the center of a two-day trip. Bardella began in Ceuta, the Spanish territory bordering Morocco, where a large influx of migrants in July renewed debate about immigration and the security of Spain’s borders. Abascal blamed the Spanish government for the crisis, accused Morocco of sponsoring what he called an “invasion,” and alleged that authorities had failed to protect Ceuta’s residents. He also described the city as “occupied” and called for its security and dignity to be restored. Bardella criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s migration policies and France’s support for his government. He praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s decision to temporarily suspend free movement within the Schengen area with Spain, calling it responsible. Bardella further accused Sánchez’s government of signaling that Europe’s borders could be violated “with impunity.” The visit takes place as Spain approaches snap elections scheduled for November 29. Vox is seeking significant gains, while the National Rally hopes success for its Spanish ally will bolster nationalist parties across Europe. The meeting also has a French political dimension: Marine Le Pen is preparing for the 2027 presidential election, and Bardella is working to strengthen his party’s alliances in Europe. The article presents the visit as part of a broader effort to make migration a prominent political issue and build cooperation among nationalist parties ahead of elections in both countries.

Spanish police, supported by soldiers, cleared the last major migrant encampment in Ceuta on Sunday, two days before King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are scheduled to visit the North African territory. The operation began at the El Guano esplanade, where hundreds of migrants had been living in makeshift shelters. More than 350 police officers were deployed. Authorities transported migrants by bus to reception centres for processing, while cleaning crews removed the camp. Some people fled into nearby hills to avoid being taken away. The encampment had formed after a mass influx in July, when more than 70,000 people entered Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco. Many later returned, but thousands remained, increasing pressure on local resources. The crisis also provoked political turmoil in Madrid and raised concerns across the European Union. The royal visit to Ceuta will be followed by a trip to Melilla on October 14. It will be the first visit by a Spanish monarch to the two territories since 2007. The article presents the camp clearance in the context of the approaching royal visit and the continuing consequences of the July arrivals; it does not provide details about the migrants’ subsequent processing or the longer-term response to the influx.

Spain’s National Day was marked by demonstrations supporting the country’s territorial integrity and by a high-profile visit to Ceuta by Vox leader Santiago Abascal. In Barcelona, about 2,000 people waved Spanish and Ceuta flags at a rally under the slogan “Catalonia with Ceuta, one Spain.” Abascal, meanwhile, travelled to the North African Spanish-administered enclave instead of attending Madrid’s military parade and laid a wreath in honour of those who died for Spain. The events took place amid renewed attention to migration and Ceuta’s contested status, as Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory. On 30 and 31 July, more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta. Most returned within days, while thousands remained, placing pressure on local resources. On Sunday, police, supported by soldiers, cleared the last major migrant encampment at El Guano. More than 350 officers participated in the operation, which came two days before King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were scheduled to visit Ceuta. The royal couple were also scheduled to travel to Melilla on 14 October. It would be their first visit to the two Spanish-administered enclaves since 2007. The article links National Day events and the planned royal visits with broader issues of Spanish territorial unity, Morocco’s claims, and the recent migration situation in Ceuta.

The article explains why the North African city known as Ceuta in Spanish is called Sebta or Sabta in Arabic, and outlines the unresolved dispute between Spain and Morocco over its sovereignty. The name Sabta predates the modern dispute; Ceuta is a Spanish-language form that developed from earlier versions. The city passed through a succession of political powers, including Idrisid, Umayyad, Taifa, Almoravid, Almohad and Marinid rule. Portuguese forces captured it in 1415, ending more than seven centuries of Muslim rule. Ceuta remained Portuguese for over two centuries, but after Portugal restored its independence in 1640, the city stayed under the Spanish monarchy. The 1668 Treaty of Lisbon formally recognised Portuguese independence while leaving Ceuta in Spanish hands. Spain considers Ceuta an integral part of its territory and administers it as an autonomous city. Morocco, which has claimed Ceuta and Melilla since its independence in 1956, regards them as occupied Moroccan territories. The disagreement is about sovereignty, not current administration: Spain governs Ceuta, while Morocco rejects Spanish sovereignty. Each country draws on a different interpretation of the city’s history and geography, and the article notes that earlier political systems were not nation-states with today’s borders, so the historical record does not offer a simple resolution. The article also clarifies that using “Sebta” is not necessarily a political statement; it is the Arabic name for the city. Melilla has a different history, having been taken by Spanish forces in 1497, but it is also claimed by Morocco and is now a Spanish autonomous city. Ceuta remains strategically important because it is outside the EU customs territory while its border with Morocco is an external Schengen border. This makes it significant to migration and border policy. A reported influx of more than 72,000 migrants on July 30 and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s planned visits to Ceuta and Melilla have brought the disputed cities back into focus.

Spain’s National Day parade took place in Madrid without troops from Ceuta, the Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast. The Ministry of Defence kept Ceuta’s forces deployed there after a crisis in July, when tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the territory. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia presided over the ceremony and were due to travel to Ceuta on Tuesday. The parade unfolded amid political tension following Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s decision to call an early general election for 29 November. Parliament had been dissolved, and Sánchez was jeered by people gathered along the streets when he arrived. The day’s events included an aerial display featuring 82 aircraft, led by two F/A-18 jets. On the ground, the army’s 8x8 Dragón armoured vehicles appeared at the parade for the first time. Marine Corps vehicles carrying the Aracne anti-drone system also made their debut, as did two Asturcón drones from the Military Emergencies Unit. The article presents these new systems as an indication of the Defence Ministry’s investment priorities. In total, 3,850 men and 530 women took part. The King and Queen later hosted a reception at the Royal Palace, concluding the National Day celebrations.

Spain’s National Day on 12 October was marked by events emphasizing the country’s territorial unity. In Barcelona, around 2,000 people gathered in support of Spain’s territorial integrity, waving Spanish and Ceuta flags under the slogan “Catalonia with Ceuta, one Spain.” Meanwhile, Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, visited Ceuta, the Spanish-administered enclave on the North African coast. He laid a wreath in honour of those who died for Spain and chose to mark the occasion there rather than attend the military parade in Madrid. Abascal’s visit took place amid renewed attention to migration and Ceuta’s contested status, as Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory. The article reports that more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Most returned within days, although thousands remained, increasing pressure on local resources. The report also describes a police operation at El Guano on the Sunday before the article’s publication. Police, supported by soldiers, cleared the last major migrant encampment there. More than 350 officers participated, two days before King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were scheduled to visit Ceuta. The royal couple were also due to travel to Melilla on 14 October; it would be their first visit to the two enclaves since 2007. Overall, the article reports on National Day demonstrations and political visits while placing them in the context of territorial claims, migration, and the upcoming royal visits.