Ceuta, from its 1415 conquest to the migration crisis: the little-known history of a colonial bastion turned powder keg

Ceuta’s story stretches from its conquest in 1415 to today’s migration crisis. Conquered at the beginning of the 15th century, the city is described as Europe’s oldest colony in Africa.

For centuries, Ceuta was closely associated with the military and followed the course of Spain’s history. Its position as a Spanish bastion on the African coast remains central to the city’s identity.

That identity now collides with a migration crisis that the article describes as appearing out of control. Ceuta’s residents want to remain Spanish, and that determination has added to the explosive nature of the situation.

The result is a city carrying the legacy of Spain’s colonial empire while confronting intense pressure at its borders. Its history, its military past and the current migration crisis all meet in this small and strategically sensitive enclave.