Ifni

Ifni was a small Spanish overseas territory on the Atlantic coast of southwestern Morocco, centered on the town of Sidi Ifni. The territory, often referred to as the Province of Ifni, was established as a Spanish possession in 1934 and remained under Spanish administration until it was ceded to Morocco in 1969. Geographically, Ifni occupied a narrow coastal strip south of Cape Juby, separated from the main Moroccan territories, with Sidi Ifni serving as its capital.

The history of Ifni is closely tied to the broader process of decolonization in North Africa. After Morocco gained independence from France and Spain in the mid-1950s, the region experienced nationalist pressure and armed activity. The Ifni War of 1957–1958 involved Moroccan nationalists and Spanish forces and underscored the controversial status of the enclave. The conflict ended without a decisive military victory and led to negotiations that eventually culminated in Spain agreeing to relinquish the territory.

In 1969, Spain ceded Ifni to Morocco, and the territory was incorporated into Moroccan administration. The city of Sidi Ifni remains a populated center in modern Morocco and is considered part of the country’s southwestern provinces. The legacy of Ifni is part of the broader history of decolonization in the region.