{"id":1953,"date":"2026-08-05T02:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T02:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953"},"modified":"2026-08-05T02:00:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T02:00:10","slug":"ceuta-and-melilla-why-europes-african-border-remains-a-flashpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953","title":{"rendered":"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"rich-share\" data-testid=\"rich-share\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__divider\">\n<div class=\"listen-to-article\"><button class=\"listen-to-article__button\" data-testid=\"listen-to-article-button\"><title>Listen<\/title>Listen (8 mins)<\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-share__update-reading-list-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"update-reading-list\">\n<p class=\"update-reading-list__button-text\">Save<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-share__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__button-wrapper\"><button class=\"rich-share__button row\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click here to share on social media<\/div>\n<p><title>share-nodes<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-share__social-text\">Share<\/p>\n<div class=\"rich-share__links rich-share__links--row\" data-testid=\"share-links\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__social rich-share__social--row\"><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Faje.news%2F08r5aw\"><title>facebook<\/title><\/a><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Ceuta%20and%20Melilla%3A%20Why%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20African%20border%20remains%20a%20flashpoint&amp;source=sharethiscom&amp;related=sharethis&amp;via=AJEnglish&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Faje.news%2F08r5aw\"><title>x<\/title><\/a><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row u-hidden--desktop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Whatsapp\" href=\"\/\/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Faje.news%2F08r5aw\"><title>whatsapp-stroke<\/title><\/a><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row copylink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Copy link\" href=\"https:\/\/aje.news\/08r5aw\"><title>copylink<\/title><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"google-preferred-source\"><button class=\"google-preferred-source__button\" aria-label=\"Add Al Jazeera on Google\" data-testid=\"google-preferred-source-button\"><title>google<\/title><span class=\"google-preferred-source__text\">Add Al Jazeera on Google<\/span><\/button><button aria-label=\"See more of Al Jazeera\u2019s trusted journalism by adding us as a preferred source on Google.\" class=\"tooltip-accessible_trigger\"><title>info<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-featured__media\">\n<figure class=\"article-featured-image\">\n<div class=\"responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-01T064529Z_78665281_RC2IPMAWYYRE_RTRMADP_3_MIGRATION-EUROPE-SPAIN-CEUTA-1785771482.jpg?resize=770%2C513&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a big group of migrants to the border to take them out of Spain, after mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in Ceuta, Spain, August 1, 2026. REUTERS\/Fabian Bimmer\"><\/div><figcaption>Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a large group of migrants to the border to take them out of Spain, after mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in Ceuta, Spain, August 1, 2026 [Fabian Bimmer\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-info m--t-20 m--desktop-b-30 m--b-mobile-20\">\n<div class=\"byline byline--no-avatars\">\n<div class=\"byline-content\">\n<div class=\"contributors-list contributors-list--byline\"><span class=\"contributors-list__by-prefix\">By <\/span>Al Jazeera staff<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-dates\">\n<div class=\"date-simple\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Published On 5 Aug 2026<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\">5 Aug 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p>Thousands of migrants entered the Spanish city of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco on July 31, bringing renewed attention to one of Europe\u2019s most unusual borders.<\/p>\n<p>Although Ceuta lies on the northern coast of Africa and is surrounded by Moroccan territory, it is administered by Spain and forms part of the European Union. Together with nearby Melilla, it forms the EU\u2019s only land border with Africa, making both cities recurring flashpoints for migration and diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Rabat.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended recommended__loading\">\n<div class=\"loading-cards\" data-testid=\"loading-cards\">\n<div class=\"loading-card keep-reading\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The latest crossing has once again highlighted border security and irregular migration, but it has also drawn attention to a broader question: why do these small Spanish territories on the African continent continue to generate recurring political crises between Spain and Morocco?<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the latest tensions requires looking at three connected issues: migration pressures, the cities\u2019 legal status, and Morocco\u2019s long-standing claim over their sovereignty.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-has-the-crisis-resurfaced-now\">Why has the crisis resurfaced now?<\/h2>\n<p>The latest crossing reflects continued pressure along one of Europe\u2019s most sensitive migration routes. Because Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish territory, entering either city means entering the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>For some migrants travelling through North Africa, the two cities are among the few places where EU territory can be reached by land, making them recurring focal points during periods of increased migration towards Europe.<\/p>\n<p>The timing of the latest surge has also been linked to a recent ruling by Spain\u2019s Supreme Court on the treatment of migrants attempting to reach Ceuta and Melilla by sea. The court ruled that Spain\u2019s \u201chot return\u201d procedure, which allows certain immediate returns at the border, could not be applied to migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to swim into the enclaves. The judges found that the procedure applies to people who cross physical border barriers, such as fences, rather than those intercepted at sea.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-arc-image-770 wp-image-1414132\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/SPAIN_CEUTA_WEBMAP-1000x562_2.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C433&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"Ceuta map\"><\/p>\n<p>The ruling did not create an automatic right to remain in Spain or legalise irregular entry. However, it was interpreted by some migrants as making immediate return more difficult if they reached Spanish territory by sea. Spanish and Moroccan officials pointed to the ruling as one factor that may have influenced the latest surge, while migration experts also cited broader migration pressures and misinformation circulating among migrants and smuggling networks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container--ads in-article-ads\">\n<div class=\"ads\"><span class=\"ads__title\"> Advertisement <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The episode showed how legal decisions affecting border procedures can quickly influence perceptions on one of Europe\u2019s most heavily monitored frontiers.<\/p>\n<p>Migration cooperation has long been closely linked to the wider relationship between Spain and Morocco. Madrid relies heavily on cooperation with Rabat to manage migration routes, while Morocco\u2019s role in controlling movement towards Europe has made border management an important element of its relationship with both Spain and the EU.<\/p>\n<p>That dynamic became particularly clear in 2021, when thousands of migrants entered Ceuta during a period of heightened tensions after Spain allowed Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, to receive medical treatment in Spain.<\/p>\n<p>The Polisario Front seeks independence for Western Sahara, which Morocco considers part of its territory and which has its final status unresolved under a United Nations-led political process. Rabat viewed Spain\u2019s decision to host Ghali as a diplomatic setback, while Madrid said the decision was based on humanitarian grounds.<\/p>\n<p>Spain accused Morocco of easing border controls during the crisis, while Moroccan officials rejected the suggestion that Morocco should act as Europe\u2019s border guard. The episode demonstrated how migration cooperation can become entangled with broader political disputes between the two countries.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-legal-status-of-ceuta-and-melilla\">What is the legal status of Ceuta and Melilla?<\/h2>\n<p>Under the current international legal framework, Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish territories under Spain\u2019s sovereignty. Spain exercises full administrative and governmental authority over the two cities, and they are represented in Spain\u2019s political system and form part of the EU.<\/p>\n<p>They are not listed by the UN as Non-Self-Governing Territories, a category that applies to territories whose people have not yet exercised the right to self-determination through decolonisation. Because Ceuta and Melilla are not on that list, they are not part of a UN decolonisation process.<\/p>\n<p>There has also been no international court ruling or UN decision determining sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla. The dispute remains a political disagreement between Spain and Morocco rather than a sovereignty dispute currently being adjudicated through an international legal process.<\/p>\n<p>This is one of the key differences between Ceuta and Melilla and Western Sahara. Western Sahara remains on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories and is the subject of a separate UN-backed political process over its future status, while Ceuta and Melilla are treated internationally as territories under Spanish sovereignty.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container--ads in-article-ads\">\n<div class=\"ads\"><span class=\"ads__title\"> Advertisement <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This is the basis of Madrid\u2019s position that the sovereignty question is settled. Spain argues that the two cities are not colonial possessions but fully integrated parts of the Spanish state, governed under Spanish law and protected as Spanish territory.<\/p>\n<p>Morocco disputes that interpretation, arguing that the cities\u2019 location on the African continent and their historical connection to North Africa mean they should be viewed differently from other Spanish cities.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-does-morocco-continue-to-claim-the-two-cities\">Why does Morocco continue to claim the two cities?<\/h2>\n<p>The dispute is rooted in the long history of the western Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<p>The Strait of Gibraltar has historically connected Europe and Africa rather than separating them. Armies, merchants, cultures and religions moved across it for centuries.<\/p>\n<p>During the medieval period, Muslim dynasties based in present-day Morocco, including the Almoravids and Almohads, ruled large parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Their influence remains visible today in Spain\u2019s architecture, language and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n<p>Later, Portugal and Spain established footholds along the North African coast as European powers expanded their influence overseas.<\/p>\n<p>Portugal captured Ceuta in 1415. After the Iberian Union between Spain and Portugal ended in 1640, Ceuta remained under Spanish rule. Spain has administered the city ever since.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1658705\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1658705\" style=\"width:770px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-arc-image-770 wp-image-1658705\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/AP19200471997600.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C515&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"A view of the border fence separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in North Africa [File: AP Photo]\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1658705\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of the border fence separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in North Africa [File: AP Photo]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Melilla has been under Spanish control since 1497.<\/p>\n<p>Spain points to this long history of administration, together with citizenship and constitutional integration, as evidence that the two cities are fully part of Spain.<\/p>\n<p>Morocco views the same history through a different lens, arguing that European-controlled territories on the African mainland remain a historical legacy of European expansion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-do-the-cities-matter-beyond-spain-and-morocco\">Why do the cities matter beyond Spain and Morocco?<\/h2>\n<p>The importance of Ceuta and Melilla extends far beyond their size.<\/p>\n<p>For Spain, the cities are sovereign territory and a direct extension of the Spanish state into North Africa.<\/p>\n<p>For the European Union, they represent its only land borders with Africa and are therefore central to debates over migration, border security and cooperation with neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n<p>For Morocco, the cities remain linked to a broader question of territorial sovereignty, even as Rabat maintains close cooperation with Spain on migration, trade and security.<\/p>\n<p>This combination of interests means that developments in Ceuta and Melilla can quickly become issues of regional significance.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"could-the-dispute-be-resolved\">Could the dispute be resolved?<\/h2>\n<p>There is little indication that either Spain or Morocco is seeking to reopen formal negotiations over sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>Spain maintains that Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of the country and that their status is not negotiable.<\/p>\n<p>Morocco continues to maintain its claim, but in recent years has generally prioritised practical cooperation with Spain over direct confrontation on the issue.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, the dispute tends to reappear indirectly during periods of political tension, diplomatic disagreements or increased migration pressure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container--connatix-ads\">\n<div class=\"container--ads in-article-ads slot-3-placement\">\n<div class=\"ads\"><span class=\"ads__title\"> Advertisement <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-does-the-latest-crossing-reveal\">What does the latest crossing reveal?<\/h2>\n<p>The immediate challenge remains humanitarian: managing migration while protecting the rights and safety of people attempting to reach Europe.<\/p>\n<p>But the events in Ceuta also show why the city repeatedly returns to international headlines. Migration may trigger the immediate crisis, but the response is shaped by border policy, Spain-Morocco relations, legal developments and a sovereignty dispute that continues to influence relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n<p>Ceuta and Melilla remain unusual because they are geographically part of Africa but politically part of Europe. As long as migration pressures and sovereignty disputes persist, they are likely to remain among the Mediterranean\u2019s most sensitive border flashpoints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ListenListen (8 mins) Save Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share facebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylink googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a large group of migrants to the border to take them out of Spain, after mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint - Asia Newscast<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint - Asia Newscast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"ListenListen (8 mins) Save Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share facebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylink googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a large group of migrants to the border to take them out of Spain, after mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Asia Newscast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-05T02:00:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"\",\"@id\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-05T02:00:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953\"},\"wordCount\":1423,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#organization\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953\",\"name\":\"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint - Asia Newscast\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-05T02:00:10+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?p=1953#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Asia Newscast\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Asia Newscast\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/anc-logo-v3.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/anc-logo-v3.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":853,\"caption\":\"Asia Newscast\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.asianewscast.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint - Asia Newscast","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint - Asia Newscast","og_description":"ListenListen (8 mins) Save Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share facebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylink googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a large group of migrants to the border to take them out of Spain, after mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953","og_site_name":"Asia Newscast","article_published_time":"2026-08-05T02:00:10+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953"},"author":{"name":"","@id":""},"headline":"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint","datePublished":"2026-08-05T02:00:10+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953"},"wordCount":1423,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953","url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953","name":"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint - Asia Newscast","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-08-05T02:00:10+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1953#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Ceuta and Melilla: Why Europe\u2019s African border remains a flashpoint"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/","name":"Asia Newscast","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#organization","name":"Asia Newscast","url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/anc-logo-v3.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/anc-logo-v3.jpg","width":1280,"height":853,"caption":"Asia Newscast"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1953"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1954,"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1953\/revisions\/1954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}