What happened on 17 May of 2021 in the city of Ceuta?
Thousands of people crossed the border from Morocco to enter Ceuta through the fences and the sea.
The Moroccan government closed the border crossing leaving thousands of people trapped in Ceuta.
Only people with visas were allowed to cross.
The cities of Ceuta and Melilla are
cities belonging to the Moroccan government located in Moroccan territory.
autonomus cities belonging to the Spanish government located entirely in the territory of Morocco.
cities belonging to the Spanish government located entirely on the Iberian Peninsula.
In 1991 Spain and Morocco signed a treaty that included:
Recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Spanish-occupied territories in northern Morocco.
Morocco gave Spain permission to continue increasing the number of occupied territories in Morocco.
Recognition of the division of territories between Spain and Morocco, with a commitment to resolve any disputes peacefully between the two governments.
The most recent tensions between Spain and Morocco that seem to be behind the entry of thousands of people into Ceuta on 17 May 2021 have as their main cause:
The planned visit of the King of Spain to the city of Ceuta colonial past on Moroccan territory.
The visit of the King of Morocco to the city.annexed by Spain before the independence of the Moroccan state in 1956.
The medical care given by Spain to Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghlai.can decide whether they prefer to belong to Spain or Morocco.
Morocco's attitude towards the territories of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as some islands in the north of Morocco such as the Chafarinas Islands or the islet of Perejil, which currently belong to the Spanish government, is mainly:
Morocco claims them as occupied territories, as they represent the last vestiges of Spain's colonial past on Moroccan territory.
It recognises the sovereignty of the Spanish government over these territories as they were annexed by Spain before the independence of the Moroccan state in 1956.
Promote the creation of a referendum with the population of these territories so that citizens can decide whether they prefer to belong to Spain or Morocco.