Ceuta

Ceuta

Ceuta is Spanish territory in North Africa. It borders Morocco, and lies on the southern shore of the straight of Gibraltar. It is governed as an autonomous city. Ceuta’s security fence that runs along the perimeter of the city to prevent migrant crossings is iconic as border securitisation measures go. Authorities have been fortifying the security fence since its erection in 1993. The border is now inaccessible because most of the mountainous area that lies beyond the city is under military control.

The city hosts a CETI, a temporary reception and accommodation centre as well as a centre for hosting unaccompanied minors. Irregular crossings have over the years drawn the attention of authorities and international media, rendering Ceuta a highly mediatised location in debates over migration management. Ceuta is the site of a multitude of migrant solidarity initiatives, many of which focus on commemoration. A prominent public square in the city hosts a monthly commemoration event called the “circle of silence”. Ceuta also hosts an annual march in commemoration of 14 people who have drowned trying to reach the Spanish coast on 6 February 2014. The Tarajal March (March of Dignity) attracts activists from all over Spain as well as internationally.

In 2024, the Tarajal March commemorated 10 years from the tragedy and activists organised a range of activities. People participated from different parts of Spain as well as internationally. A few days later, activists also organised another event in Tangiers. This event was dubbed a “commemoaction”, i.e. an agentic way of mourning and remembering that at the same time functions as a call to action. Significantly, the event in Tangiers was organised and coordinated by migrants living there. Although not integrally connected, the two events together served to underscore the connection between the two cities of Ceuta and Tangiers in the journeys of migration.