Ceuta | A slice of Europe in Africa
Thousands of migrants attempted to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, leading to a humanitarian crisis and significant loss of life. The territory remains a flashpoint for European migration policy as it serves as a land border between Africa and the EU.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing geopolitical and humanitarian challenges of migration at the borders of the European Union.
“They told us we would have a place of refuge in Spain, and it was a lie”. That is how one migrant described his journey to Ceuta. He was among tens of thousands who believed Europe had finally opened its doors. Some scrambled over razor-wire fences. Others slipped through gaps in the chain-link barrier. Many plunged into the Mediterranean wearing wetsuits, kicking with flippers or clutching inflatable rings as they swam towards the tiny Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast.
For a few hours, Europe seemed within reach.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in