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Why does Spain have two cities in Africa?

The complicated history of Ceuta and Melilla

Why does Spain have two cities in Africa?
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StarsInsider
19/03/2026 11:00 ‧ 16 hours ago | StarsInsider

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Geopolitics

Nestled on the North African coast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea are two cities, but they are not in African territory. Instead, Ceuta and Melilla are autonomous enclaves of Spain. They've been part of Spanish territory for centuries and Madrid insists on them remaining so. But Morocco disagrees, and has repeatedly demanded their return.

These two unique Spanish destinations have been the subject of wars, controversy, and diplomatic spats since the 1500s. More recently, a Washington-based think tank has called on the US government to declare both enclaves as occupied Moroccan territory. So, why are these two cities the subject of so much dispute, and what kind of history do they share?

Click on for an intriguing tale of two cities.

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