Moroccan nationalists take their claim on the city to the door of Ceuta City Hall

A group of Moroccan nationalists has taken their demands to the doorstep of Ceuta’s city hall, openly calling for the return of the city and other Spanish territories in North Africa to Morocco. The demonstration took place near the main entrance of the municipal building, with members of the Ultra group Siempre Paloma 2006 unfurling a large banner that asserts Morocco's claim over Ceuta, Melilla, and other Spanish-controlled areas in northern Africa. The action, which was captured in a photograph shared on the group’s Facebook page, appears to have occurred during the early hours of Tuesday, though the exact date remains unspecified. The image shows several members of the group standing under the flags of Spain and the City Council of Ceuta, holding up the English-language banner reading: “Your history is defense. Ours is expansion. Save Ceuta from occupation.” The Spanish translation of the message reads: “Vuestra historia es defensa. La nuestra es expansión. Salvad Ceuta de la ocupación.” This statement clearly frames Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta as an “occupation” and positions the city as territory that Morocco must reclaim. Siempre Paloma 2006 is associated with the Moghreb Atlético Tetuán, one of Morocco’s historic football clubs known for its strong fan base in Tetuán. Founded in 1922, the club has long been a symbol of local pride, with groups such as Los Matadores and Siempre Paloma playing key roles among its supporters. These groups have moved beyond mere sports fandom, using graffiti, chants, and public actions to voice political and social messages. A 2026 sociological study examining the activities of Tetuán’s ultra groups highlighted how these efforts transcend the sporting arena, evolving into a form of political discourse. The group has previously used its mobilization power to address issues beyond football. Following the death of Ilias Tahiri, a young Moroccan who died in a youth center in Almería, the group organized acts of remembrance and displayed banners condemning racism and discrimination against Moroccans in Spain. They also directed criticism toward the far-right party Vox. In June 2020, the group posted a message on Facebook demanding justice for Tahiri while highlighting the violence, racism, and discrimination faced by Moroccans in Spain. This history helps explain the broader political dimension of the group’s recent actions. Siempre Paloma has demonstrated a capacity to exert influence over the public life of the club, as evidenced by their public intervention in February this year, where they called for accountability from the club’s management. Their involvement in matters related to the club reflects a pattern of using public demonstrations to push for change and assert their views. The current demand for Ceuta represents a clear territorial claim, rooted in historical narratives that trace back to figures such as Tariq ibn Ziyad and the dynasties of Al-Andalus, the Almohads, and the Almoravids. The group’s message draws upon the historical presence of North African rulers in the Iberian Peninsula to argue for continuity and a reclamation of lost territories. The reference to the Strait of Gibraltar as a space that historically connected both shores underscores the symbolic importance of the region in their argument. As tensions continue to simmer around the issue of migration and territorial claims, the actions of nationalist groups like Siempre Paloma highlight the complex interplay between identity, politics, and public expression in the region. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions and potential further developments likely to shape the narrative in the coming days.